Water warning issued over toxic algae in Quebec.

[Melody]

I thought Blue-Green Algae was just a pain and wouldn't harm the fish? Maybe its fine for fish but not humans.

Regardless, the story caught my eye. Quebeckers are being warned not to drink their water because of an outbreak of blue-green algae. Thirty-seven Quebec lakes are now contaminated. Residents in the area who are not on the municipal water system cannot drink, cook, make ice cubes or wash fruit and vegetables in lake water, but beaches are open.

I remember at the cottage when I was a kid, we were told to use as little shampoo as possible when bathing in the lake because it would encourage algae growth. Its not exactly a new problem, just a bigger one.:no:

[_BaDgUy_]

With what I've heard, lakes that have a problem with blue/green algae (cyanobacteria) are not to be used at all!

No cooking, no drinking, no washing, you are not even to touch the water!

Imagine.. all this, and it's only the beginniing of July, the warm (hot) weather is barely starting, it's going to get way worst than this.

I've got about 5 or 6 lakes in my region that are infested with the stuff... :realmad:

[Melody]

That's horrible! Is there nothing that can kill it without hurting the environment and its occupants?

[_BaDgUy_]

Is there nothing that can kill it without hurting the environment and its occupants?

Yep, good water maintenance, and not dumping so much fertilizers in the fields!!

[Soggybottom]

not to be used at all!Man, this would devastate the whole Okanagan valley if it happened here...
I wonder if it is the same BGA slime algae we see in fish tanks, because if it is, increasing nitrates in relation to other nutrients is one way to fix the problem. Dumping more fertilizers into the water might be hard one to sell to the public though...

What are the main crops grown in the region badguy?
I wonder if they are growing legumes? (nitrogen fixing crops: peas, beans) and using fertilizer tailored specifically for them, which benefits BGA (also N fixing)

[_BaDgUy_]

Any city tap water that is drawn from a lake with BGA is good to drink, but it has to be a good sized city!

Most of the crops grown around here is corn.

The main problem is that all trees or vegetation on the shores of the lake have been destroyed to have a better view of the lake or more space to grow corn. That is really not helping the lakes BGA!

Some cities are giving away trees if they are to be planted on your own part of the lake's shore!

[Soggybottom]

Hope it works, BGA is grim when theres 40 gallons. A lake full must be intense. I wonder if you can smell it? Tanks with blue green algae often have that distinctive dank algae-ish smell...