Friday, 28 May 2021, 1:45 pm Canterbury DHB’s Community and Public Health unit has lifted all of its algal bloom health warnings issued along the Hakatere/Ashburton River at Hills Road, State Highway 1, Boundary Road and the hapua (river mouth). Recent cyanobacteria surveys of the Hakatere/Ashburton River have shown the cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the river has reduced and is now below levels that are of concern to public health. Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton says Environment Canterbury’s monitoring of Hakatere/Ashburton River will resume next summer when there is increased likelihood of cyanobacteria