BEWARE! Toxic Cyanobacteria or "blue-green algae" (continued)

HISTORY OF TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA IN SOUTH AFRICA
The existence of toxic cyanobacteria is neither new nor localised nor restricted to South Africa.
The first known case of livestock poisoning in South Africa dates back to the 1920s.
Since then, incidents have occurred at Vaal Dam, Witbank Dam, Erfenis Dam, Bospoort Dam and Roodeplaat Dam. Smaller farm dams have also had incidents of toxic cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacterial scum and water hyacinth at Roodeplaat Dam

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO MANAGE THE SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA?

  • Department of Water and Sanitation is conducting situation- specific surveillance
  • The Toxic Algae Forum, established in 1998, promotes awareness of the causes and consequences of cyanobacterial toxins
  • Department of Water and Sanitation requests that authorities controlling public access to dams put up notices cautioning the public against contact with scums
REMEMBER
  • For your own safety regard all cyanobacterial or blue-green algal blooms in South Africa as potentially toxic
  • Report incidents of green scums to the Department of Water and Sanitation 24-hour pollution hotline

FURTHER INFORMATION
  • For copies of the Toxic Algae (cyanobacteria) pamphlet containing the information given here, please write to:
    The Department of Water and Sanitation
    Private Bag X313
    PRETORIA 0001 (South Africa)
    or try the E-mail address at the bottom of this page.
  • For further information contact:
    The Director, Resource Quality Information Services
    Department of Water and Sanitation
    Private Bag X313
    PRETORIA 0001 (South Africa)
<-Back| Toxic Cyanobacterial main page
Please send comments on these pages to the webmaster
at the Resource Quality Information Services Directorate.
Last update 2015-08-13 11:57

[ RQIS Home Page ]