Blue-green algae bloom safety campaign kicks off in time for summer

JUNE 15, 2022 – Summer weather has arrived in the Kawarthas and Region of Durham, and with it comes the potential for blue-green algae (BGA) blooms, also known as harmful algae blooms (HABs), to form in lakes, rivers, and creeks throughout the region. To help the community better understand the threats posed by blue-green algae, Kawartha Conservation has teamed up with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) on an online campaign to educate the public on how to identify and report blue-green algae and its impact on humans and animals.

The campaign kicks off on Wednesday, June 15 across Kawartha Conservation’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and will run throughout the summer and into early fall when HABs are most common. 

“Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring bacteria that can create toxins making water unsafe for all human, plant, and animal use,” said Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Environmental Health at HKPRDHU. “This can be a big problem for those living near bodies of water because it negatively impacts drinking water and can make your local lake or river unsafe to swim, fish, boat, and more.”

“This campaign is a great opportunity for our community to learn about the negative impacts of blue-green algae and how to keep themselves safe in and around the water this summer,” Ovcharovich continued.

As warm and sunny weather continues to extend further into the fall as a result of a changing climate, conditions are becoming more suitable for the growth of blue-green algae in the Kawartha Lakes and surrounding regions.

“If you’ve never encountered blue-green algae before, you might be unsure of how to identify or protect yourself, your family, and pets from it,” said Kawartha Conservation Water Quality Specialist Tanner Liang. "By learning how to identify blue-green algae through this campaign and reporting your sighting, you’re doing your part to protect our lakes, as well as the people and animals that call them home.”

Follow along with the campaign on Kawartha Conservation’s social media channels and learn more about the impacts of blue-green algae at https://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae.