The Rotorua Lakes remain safe for swimming apart from Otautu Bay on Lake Rotoehu where a health warning remains in place.
The latest Environment Bay of Plenty monitoring has found low counts of cyanobacteria, blue-green algae in the Rotorua lakes have continued throughout January.

File Picture.

Cyanobacteria activity in the main body of Lake Rotoehu remains relatively low and is currently safe for swimming.
Environment Bay of Plenty environmental scientist Matt Bloxham says February, March and April are historically the worst months for algae blooms.
'Every season tends to be different so anything could happen between now and June but hopefully we may be spared significant bloom activity for the remainder of summer,” says Matt.
Environment Bay of Plenty group manager water management Eddie Grogan says it is encouraging that Lake Okaro, where there has been significant blooms in recent years, recorded very low counts for cyanobacteria in November, December and January.
Data suggests that if Lake Okaro was going to bloom it would have by now.
'Environment Bay of Plenty has been working with people in the Lake Okaro catchment to help reduce the nutrients in the lake, including sediment capping, which prevents nutrients held in the lakebed from being released into the water column; creation of wetlands; and support for environmental programmes. This combined activity will have had a positive impact on the low bacteria counts for Lake Okaro this summer,” says Eddie.
Environment Bay of Plenty will continue to regularly monitor the algal levels in the Rotorua lakes.
Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins that are harmful to humans and animals if swallowed or if exposed to skin when swimming, skiing or kayaking. Cyanobacteria bloom as a result of a combination of excess nutrients in the lakes and climatic and biological factors.
Rivers in the region also appear to have lower levels of the cyanobacteria, Phormidium, than in previous years and a health warning on the upper Rangitaiki River was lifted in January. Phormidium, a mat forming cyanobacteria that attaches to the river bed, can produce a powerful neuro-toxin, which if accidentally ingested can be harmful to humans and animals.
The low percentage cover of phormidum in the region's rivers presently is mainly due to recent heavy rain and scouring, says Matt.
'A lack of rain and low flows could easily see the return of extensive mat development so the public needs to remain vigilant.”