The Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority are advising the public to avoid swimming in or drinking water where blue-green algae blooms are occurring. Pet owners and livestock producers are also advised to keep their animals away from such water.
Algae blooms are heavy concentrations of blue-green algae, which often give the water a pea soup appearance, usually blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan in colour. Recent warm temperatures in the province has resulted in the quick formation of algal blooms.
Swimming in or drinking this algae-contaminated water can cause red skin, sore throat, cramps or diarrhea. In addition, caution should be taken when considering the consumption of fish or shellfish caught in areas of a water body where a bloom exists; in particular the internal organs of the fish should not be eaten.
