“Oak Lake Beach algea levels are sampled monthly, and on demand if there are reports of algae blooms or water issues,” said Glen Cassie (Public Affairs Specialist with Communications Services Manitoba) in an email Aug. 1.
The algae levels were tested at Oak Lake Beach on Aug. 1, and were found to be at acceptable levels. Blue green algae cells were 387,000 per mL.
An algae advisory was posted on the public water stewardship website for public awareness. It stated:
If large amounts of green scum are visible in the water it is advisable to take the following precautions:
• avoid swimming or other contact with the water
• do not drink the water (boiling or chlorination will not make the water safe)
• prevent pets or livestock from drinking the water along the shoreline, as this could be fatal to animals
• do not eat fish from this lake that appear unhealthy.
Blue green algae, which can cause illness such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, eye and skin irritation, have been found at this beach in the past.
Algal blooms are difficult to predict and may form and then disperse quickly, or last for several days or weeks. Warm and calm weather coupled with relatively high nutrient loads provide ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
Home and cottage owners who use lake water as a source for drinking water should be aware that most small treatment systems are unable to remove algal toxins. Therefore, where blue-green algal blooms are present, avoid drinking the water or using it for other domestic purposes. In addition, since infants consume more water relative to body weight, parents may wish to use an alternate drinking water source (e.g. bottled water) for preparing infant formula during the summer months if their lake is prone to blue-green algal blooms.
Source: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/waterstewardship/quality/beaches.html
