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Health ministry warns about blue-green algae

With the hot and dry conditions hitting some of the province, the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health have issued a blue-green algae warning. “Algae blooms often give the water a shimmering, foamy pea soup appearance.
Blue-green algae
The Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health say that blue-green algae blooms have a pea soup look to them and can cause red skin, sore throat, cramps, or diarrhea. photo courtesy of Ron Podbielski

With the hot and dry conditions hitting some of the province, the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health have issued a blue-green algae warning.

“Algae blooms often give the water a shimmering, foamy pea soup appearance.  They are usually blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan in colour.  The recent warm temperatures in the province may result in the quick formation of algal blooms,” said the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health in a resent press release.

Consumption of water contaminated with blue-green algae can result in red skin, sore throat, cramps or diarrhea and people, pets, and livestock should avoid contaminated water bodies.

“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,” said the release.

Ron Podbielski with the Water Security Agency says that contaminations have been small and localized and people need to be aware of blooms that are happening in their waterways.

If people are seeing unusual formations, people should feel free to call the Water Security Agency for additional testing or to ask questions, says Podbielski.