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Story: Water quality

Toxic algae

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Toxic algae

In extreme situations, contaminated lakes may produce toxic algae, as this sign at Lake Horowhenua warns. The algae may take months to clear.

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Horizons Regional Council

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How to cite this page

Mike Scarsbrook and Kit Rutherford, Water quality – Lakes Rotorua and Taupō, and the Manawatū River, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15534/toxic-algae (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Mike Scarsbrook and Kit Rutherford, published 1 March 2009, updated 18 July 2016.