The Lake Hood Water Quality Taskforce, of which Council is a member, is commissioning a proposal from expert water scientists about how best to deal with algal blooms in Lake Hood.

Roads, drinking water and wastewater at the man-made lake are already managed by Council, and Council has historically outsourced the management of the lake and green spaces to the Lake Extension Project Limited.

Group Manager Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said Council had contracted the job of managing Lake Hood to ACL from 1 July 2024.

“Council’s most urgent job is to help address water quality issues at the lake and we support the work of the Taskforce in commissioning a report from NIWA (the National Institute of Weather and Atmospheric) about how best to do that.

“They have scientists who have experience and expertise in this area and we look forward to hearing what they say.

"We’re optimistic about an effective management plan.”

Lake Hood has been under a health warning since 5 January, because potentially toxic algae was found in canals at the lake.

Mr McCann said Council was working in conjunction with the Taskforce on a long-term plan to improve water quality.

“The NIWA report will also help us prepare an overall Lake Hood Management Plan, which will be an operational document going forward.

"Right now though, there’s no quick fix and we need to understand what is best for Lake Hood, and work with experts to deal with it.

“We want people who live at the lake, and those who regularly visit, to know plans are under way. We’ll be sharing the recommendations in the NIWA report with the lake community when we get it.”

A weed harvester has been bought to mow lake weed and it is currently being shipped to New Zealand from Canada.

Mr McCann said weed would be mowed, collected and carted from the lake for composting.

“We think the weed harvester will be working full-time in the canals and lake for four to six months of the year.”