There is a need to have a clear and consistent approach to assessing the efficacy and performance of the growing number of algal bloom management technologies emerging on the market. Often technologies are offered by suppliers with the promise that they will solve algal bloom issues. However, there are a number of factors that, if poorly understood and addressed, can result in performance being unsatisfactory for water utility needs. This research will develop a customisable protocol for selection, deployment, and performance assessment of algal bloom management technologies.

This report on analysing the economic impact of harmful and nuisance algal blooms (HNABs) on the Australian water industry is the first effort in two decades to estimate their economic impact. Understanding the full impact of blooms on recreational water use, source water management, water treatment (for drinking, stock, agricultural and recycled water), and finished water quality, enables industry to better evaluate and target research into bloom mitigation and management.

The research was successful in identifying and categorising the present-day costs associated with the management of harmful and nuisance algal blooms in Australia. However, there is insufficient information to extrapolate a national estimate for the ‘cost of algae’ for the whole country.