Irrigating with blue-green algae affected water

Summary

Many landholders use river water and farm dams to irrigate crops. These water sources are vulnerable to blue-green algal (BGA) blooms and may become contaminated.

This Primefact is designed to assist irrigators who may irrigate with BGA-contaminated water.

Topics include:

• What are blue-green algae?
• Does my farm dam or river contain blue-green algae?
• How can BGA-contaminated water affect health?
• How can BGA-contaminated irrigation water affect plants?
• Irrigating crops with BGA-contaminated water
• Cautions for spray and micro systems