Media Release

07April 2008

Health Warning Issued for Lake Rotomanu

Taranaki District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Richard Hoskins, has issued a health warning for Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth. Routine sampling by the Taranaki Regional Council has found high levels of Cyanobacter in the Lake water. People should not use the Lake for any purpose, e.g. swimming, boating, skiing, or sourcing water for consumption or irrigation.

New Plymouth District Council will be erecting warning notices near the Lake.

Cyanobacter is an algae capable of producing toxins, most commonly causing skin and eye irritation but, depending on the toxin, also possibly causing:
• Sore throat
• Asthma symptoms
• Liver damage
• Paralysis
• Irregular breathing or twitching
• Weakness, vomiting, cold extremities, and diarrhoea

The water samples are undergoing further analysis, and the Lake will be reopened once weekly samples have shown levels are considered safe.

For more information please call

Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph 021 367 789