It seems like with each passing summer there are more blue-green algae advisories across the province and country, resulting in a decrease of summer activities and an increase in health risks in the affected waters.
Not only do the advisories recommend avoiding contact and consumption of raw water with blue-green algae present, but the algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can seriously harm other animals living in and around the water.
It is not a coincidence that occurrences of blue-green algae are increasing in conjunction with an increase in human activity around lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers.
Cyanobacteria are found in almost every aquatic habitat on earth, however, problems arise when the bacteria multiply rapidly, forming algal blooms, which then die and decay and can leave toxic chemicals in the water. Given the increasing number and size of blue-green algal blooms, the concentration of toxins in the water can reach dangerous and even deadly levels, causing negative health effects in humans and even leading to the death of livestock.
Considering the negative effects blue-green algae can have on our health, our pets, livestock and wildlife, our drinking water and fun summer activities like going for a swim or fishing, one would think this would be a priority to get under control and eventually avoid altogether.
But the incidences of blue-green algae are unfortunately on the rise.
Fortunately, we as individuals, as well as corporations and industries can and should contribute to decreasing the number and extent of blue-green algal blooms present in our water.
The most pressing problem is the massive amounts of nutrients being pushed back into our fresh water. High numbers of nutrients in the water arise from industrial runoff, agricultural run-off, and wastewater effluent.
Industry has a huge role to play in not only reducing blue-green algae, but also in simply not harming earth's fresh water by altogether avoiding the return of waste and other contaminants back into the fresh water system.
Individuals must also take personal responsibility when it comes to keeping our water clean and safe. Residents, especially those living on or near a waterbody, should limit nutrient additions into the water by avoiding lawn fertilizers and by properly maintaining their private sewage systems.
Who knows, maybe with a bit of hard work and dedication, we can finally go back to a summer of swimming in Moose Lake.
