Watch for toxic bloom

Times Contributor 

 

Blue-green algae blooms are once again painting lakes and streams in Wheatland County. The county website posted a health advisory for the blooms in Eagle Lake and the Severn Creek reservoir.

“We post the warnings as a precautionary measure to ensure our residents safety,” said David Churchill general manager of Transportation and Infrastructure for Wheatland County.

The blue-green algae are a form of bacteria called cyanobacteria, which lives in water bodies year round. Warmer weather heats up the water and the algae reproduce, sending out blooms that give the water paint-like consistency for the duration of their bloom. The algae blooms also secrete toxins that can cause skin rashes, fever, eye irritations, nausea and diarrhea to those that come in contact with the water.  

“We had one patch develop near the resort, but later in the day it blew away,” said Leslie Pringle, manager at Eagle Lake RV resort. 

“The lake is the same as always,” said Pringle.

She said notices are posted year round as a safety measure, but often the warnings are blown out of proportion by the media. She also questioned some of the criteria used by the health inspectors. 

She said she and her employees have lived in the area for over 20 years and swam in Eagle Lake without repercussions.  She does caution patrons when the blooms are happening, but lets them decide for themselves about using the lake at that time.

Health experts are advising that people, their pets, or livestock should avoid going into the water, ingesting the water or eating fish that live in blue-green infested waters. Reports state that severe liver damage can occur through prolonged exposure to the toxins over time. 

Even boiling the water won’t remove the toxin from the water, so those that rely on the water in bloom infested areas are encouraged to use bottled water, or find another source of water for themselves and their livestock until the blooms dissipate.

Blue-green algae blooms are a problem in areas all across Canada. 

Those looking to decrease the size of blooms point their attention to decreasing phosphorous levels entering water systems. Rain causes phosphorous rich fertilizer from adjacent farmlands to enter streams. Urban areas have phosphorous input by water passing over roof shingles and entering storm waters and use of phosphorous laden household products such as laundry and cleaning solutions.

Some municipalities have used a copper sulfate solution, triploid carp fish that eat the algae, mechanical harvesting of the algae and aeration of ponds where it is found.