Blue-green algae build up. (submitted photo/The Water Security Agency)

By Keaton Brown

Beware Blue-Green

Advisory issued for blue-green algae in Saskatchewan

Jul 25, 2019 | 3:00 PM

Make sure to check the water before swimming for the next few weeks around Saskatchewan.

The Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health have issued a blue-green algae advisory for the province. The public is advised to avoid swimming in or drinking water where blue-green algae blooms are occurring.

Heavy concentrations of blue-green algae commonly occur during calm, hot weather in areas of lakes and reservoirs with shallow, slow moving or still water that has sufficient nutrients.

Livestock producers and pet owners are also advised to keep their animals away from the water.

The algae blooms often give the water a shimmering, foamy pea soup appearance. They are usually blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan in colour.

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“It can develop rather quickly and it can develop in isolated areas so we always want people to do that visual inspection. If the water looks a little unusual and has that colouring that blue-green algae have, it’s best to avoid it and find another area to swim,” Ron Podbielski, manager of communications and strategic issues for the Water Security Agency, said.

Blue-green algae blooms make the water look like pea soup. (submittedphoto/The Water Security Agency)

The hot temperatures that have been happening across the province for the past week may result in the quick formation of algae blooms. These blooms will typically last for up to three weeks and can be pushed around by the wind.

“We do know that historically this is the time of year it happens in Saskatchewan and with the hot weather across the province, the conditions are ideal for the potential for the blue-green algae,” Podbielski said.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health said swimming in or drinking this algae-bloom affected water can cause red skin, sore throat, cramps or diarrhea. In addition, caution should be taken when considering the consumption of fish or shellfish caught in areas of a water body where a bloom exits; in particular the internal organs of the fish should not be eaten.

Podbielski said that the advisory is province wide and maintains that it is important for people everywhere to be vigilant in checking bodies of water they are in contact with.

“Province wide we do want [people] to be vigilant. There tend to be cases that are more prevalent in the southern half of the province, but I can say that in 2018 we certainly had an inquiry from Jackfish Lake where a person believed there were some blue-green algae there,” he said.

If anyone has come into contact with these algae or are suffering any of these health symptoms they are encouraged to call the Healthline at 811 or contact their healthcare provider.

—

Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

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