The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Water Security Agency has advised Saskatchewan citizens to avoid direct contact and any consumption of surface water where blue-green algae blooms are visible. Livestock producers and pet owners are also strongly suggested to keep their animals away from the particular water.
Algae blooms are a rapid accumulation or increase in blue-green algae in freshwater and marine water systems. It causes clear water to become cloudy and creates formation scums as algae float to the surface. The blooms often give the water a shimmering, foamy and pea soup-like appearance.
In areas with calm, shallow, still or slow-moving water that has sufficient nutrients, hot weather increases algae growth. The recent warm temperatures in Saskatchewan will most likely result in a quick formation of algae blooms. The blooms can stay up to three weeks.
“While algae blooms occur naturally in many Saskatchewan lakes, they tend to thrive in hot, dry weather… particularly with very little wind to help break them up. That is what we’re seeing now. It’s why we issued the advisory, to let people know to watch for them as they are enjoying the lakes recreationally this weekend, and for agriculture producers with animals & livestock,” explained Sean Osmar from Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.
“Contact with blooms can cause skin irritation, and ingestion can be toxic in high enough amounts causing sickness. If a producer finds an algae bloom in their dugouts, they should switch to a different source for their animals until conditions change,” commented Osmar. Accidental drinking or direct contact with algae-contaminated water is likely to create symptoms like red skin, sore throat, cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
People should take care when researching the consumption of fish and shellfish. If they were caught in water bodies where algae blooms are present, it is dangerous to eat. Internal organs of the particular water animals should not be consumed.
“Rain, cooler temperatures and winds can all help break up and disperse blooms and help keep them from forming. Strangely, part of what makes Saskatchewan so strong of an agricultural producer… rich soils also contribute to algae blooms in lakes,” said Osmar.
Reach out to local health care providers with any concerns. If there are any health-related inquiries about blue-green algae, contact the local Saskatchewan Health Authority environmental health office. For more information on algae blooms, contact Sean Osmar via phone at 1 (306) 630-4643 or email at sean.osmar@wsask.ca.