Algae Blooms

Cyanobacteria (commonly called blue-green algae) are a type of bacteria that occur naturally in freshwater bodies including ponds, wetlands, and shorelines of lakes, streams and rivers. It is more common for them to grow in shallow, slow moving or still water. When conditions are favourable, the amount of cyanobacteria in a water body can increase very quickly and a dense mass called a bloom will form. 
Source: HealthLinkBC

Cyanobacteria can cause blooms in a range of colours, including blue-green, bright blue, green, brown or red/pink, and often smell musty or grassy. Depending on the species, composition, and age of the bloom, it may appear like pea soup or paint-like, small grass clippings, globs or bead-like, fluffy, or pom-pom-like. Decomposing blooms can appear discoloured (white) and smell of ammonia. Visit Algae Watch for photos of cyanobacteria blooms.

Source: HealthLinkBC, Algae Watch

Although not all blooms are toxic, it's not always clear which ones can be harmful. Take the following precautions if you see a bloom:

• Avoid all direct contact with the bloom. If contact is made, rinse your body with clean water.
• Recreational activities, such as swimming, are discouraged in areas where the bloom is present.
• Do not consume drinking water directly from the lake. If your source water intake is (Wood Lake), consider using an alternate source for drinking water. Contact your water supplier for more information.
• Consider providing pets and livestock with an alternate source of drinking water.

Submit your cyanobacteria bloom observation using the online Algae Watch Observation submission form.  

Not all blooms are easy to see. Some blooms can cover part or all of a water surface and may last days, weeks, months or all year, and can even grow during winter when water may be covered in snow or has turned to ice.
Source: HealthLinkBC

Cyanobacteria can produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous to people, pets or livestock.
Source: HealthLinkBC

You can be exposed to cyanobacteria by drinking water or by getting it on your skin during recreational activities (swimming, boating or waterskiing, etc.). Exposure can also occur through consumption of food or drink contaminated with cyanobacteria. Boiling water will not remove cyanobacteria toxins from the water.

Source: HealthLinkBC

Some cyanobacteria toxins can affect the nervous and respiratory systems. Symptoms are visible shortly after exposure, others affect the liver and can take days to appear.

Symptoms from drinking water with cyanobacteria toxins include: headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle aches, mouth ulcers and blistering of the lips. Symptoms from contact with water contaminated with cyanobacteria include: skin rashes and irritation of the ears and eyes.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above and believe they may be from exposure to cyanobacteria, see your health care provider.

Source: HealthLinkBC

Never drink untreated water from lakes, ponds or wetlands. Boiling water does not remove cyanobacteria toxins and can even increase the concentration of toxins. Consider using an alternate drinking water source if your water source has an algae bloom.

Source: HealthLinkBC, Interior Health

• Never mix infant formula with water that you suspect contains cyanobacteria
• Never drink untreated water from lakes, ponds or wetlands
• Follow swimming advisories related to cyanobacteria blooms or toxins
• Never wade, swim or bathe in water with visible blooms
• Rinse your body with clean water immediately after exposure to contaminated water
• Never cook, wash dishes or do laundry in water contaminated with blooms

Source: HealthLinkBC

Cyanobacteria toxins can harm pets and livestock if they come in contact with contaminated water. They may be exposed either by drinking, wading or playing. Some of the symptoms of exposure include jaundice (yellowing of the white of the eye) and sensitivity to sunlight.

Never let pets or livestock drink, eat fish, or go into the water if there are visible blooms. Always ensure you are providing a safe source of drinking water.

Source: HealthLinkBC

Submit your cyanobacteria bloom observation using the online Algae Watch Observation submission form. 
For more information visit: Algae Watch - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

If you have cyanobacteria bloom concerns related to drinking water or recreational water use, contact Interior Health at 250-549-5714 (Vernon Health Centre, Environmental Public Health).

Source: Algae Watch, HealthLinkBC

If you, or your pet, have become unwell after contact with water that you think may be contaminated with cyanobacteria, we strongly recommend that you seek immediate medical or veterinary advice.