Napier City Council says the latest sampling shows toxic bloom contamination at Anderson Park has dropped below detection levels – but dog owners should remain on alert.

Over recent weeks the council has been warning dog owners to keep their pets out of waterways around the city – particularly at Anderson Park – due to the presence of Cyanobacteria, a toxic algal bloom which often occurs at this time of year.

“Cyanobacteria is still a risk in urban waterways, despite the levels of cyanobacteria in water samples taken from Anderson Park last week having dropped below detection levels,” the council said in a statement today.

“Dog owners need to think very carefully about allowing their pets to splash around in or drink from waterways.”

The council says dog owners need to use common sense and not wait for signs to advise them of the risk.

“There are widespread algal and bacterial blooms throughout Hawke’s Bay and throughout the country at the moment. They happen so quickly that the authorities concerned may not be able to reach everyone in time to inform them of the blooms, and it does take a few days for test results to be ready.”

Cyanobacteria thrives to toxic levels where there is a balance of high levels of nutrients, low water flow and warmer than normal water temperatures.

The council says it will continue to monitor the situation.

Dog owners should contact a vet immediately if their dogs show the following symptoms after drinking from, swimming or paddling in the water: vomiting/being sick, diarrhoea, seizures/fitting, weakness/collapse/unconsciousness, disorientation/confusion, drooling, or breathing difficulties.

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