Algal growth is a common problem in Australian water bodies, and as killing the cells is not an environmentally acceptable practice we must learn to manage them and their impacts appropriately.
Regular algae monitoring to identify and enumerate potentially toxic species is essential to managing toxin loads in water bodies used as a domestic water source. If significant numbers of potentially toxic species are identified, treatment plants can be modified to ensure the removal of potential toxins.
Regular monitoring of algae numbers also provides an indication of the effectiveness of catchment management techniques.