Algae may add $5m to cost of water supply

Alexandra's new $14.8million drinking water supply could end up costing another $5million because of the discovery in Lake Dunstan of the algae that causes lake snow.

However, the potential cost increase could have been even higher if the Lindavia algae had not been discovered now, Central Otago district councillors have heard.

The discovery of the algae - the first time it has been found in Lake Dunstan - was announced in a council statement last week and discussed at the council's Three Waters Infrastructure Committee meeting on Wednesday. Read more