Problems and Issues

Are cyanobacterial blooms toxic?
Alberta's nutrient-rich lakes support an abundance of cyanobacteria (see, “What are cyanobacteria” ), which can make the lake water look green and murky. When climatic conditions are right, cyanobacteria may congregate at the water's surface in what is known as a cyanobacterial bloom (see, “Why does my lake turn green”). Bloom-forming species of cyanobacteria produce many compounds, some of which have toxic properties. In Alberta's lakes, the most common are the liver toxins called microcystins. Microcystins have been responsible for illness and death of livestock, pets and wildlife following the consumption of cyanobacteria infested waters. Microcystins have also been linked to incidences of gastrointestinal illness in humans. Less common are the neuro- (nerve) toxins including anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(s) and saxitoxin. Though neurotoxic blooms tend to be more potent than those containing only microcystin, they occur less frequently as cyanobacteria that produce these toxins only rarely form blooms of significance. Neurotoxins have been linked to sporadic die-offs of ducks, shorebirds, and bats, as well as pets and livestock. Lastly, some cyanobacteria also produce dermal toxins that can yield dermatitis symptoms similar to swimmers' itch and may include skin irritation, rashes, redness of the eyes, swollen lips, sore throat, and hay-fever like allergic reactions. Incidences or outbreaks of contact dermatitis have been reported through recreational activities such as swimming, water skiing, and boating.

It is important to realize that blooms are usually comprised of several coexisting species of cyanobacteria in varying abundance. This means that the majority of blooms will contain some amount of toxin. This also means that more than one toxin can be present at any given time. Though there are no recorded human fatalities linked to toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Alberta, these have occurred elsewhere around the world. Hence all blooms should be treated with caution. Never consume untreated surface water at any time and provide alternative drinking water for pets and livestock during blooms and for up to two weeks after the blooms' disappearance. Contact with blooms should also be avoided. For further information on cyanobacterial blooms and toxicity, see the“ Cyanobacterial Blooms in Surface Waters ” and “Cyanobacterial Toxicity” on-line brochures. For health concerns and questions about whether to swim in a lake, please contact your regional health authority.

What can I do to control the algae in my lake/dugout?
The best way is to control the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus (found in sewage, greywater, animal feces, fertilizers, or silt from land erosion) that enters the water body. Provide a vegetative buffer of trees, shrubs, and grasses around the water body. It prevents erosion by holding soil and stabilizing the shoreline. A well-maintained vegetative zone may also filter out sediments, pesticides, microbes and heavy metals carried by rain and snowmelt runoff.

Why does foam form on lakes, rivers, and streams?
Plants, algae and cyanobacteria inhabiting watersheds and surface waters produce many organic compounds. Some of these compounds are surface-active agents or surfactants as they are commonly called. Like soap, surfactants lessen the surface tension of water. Diminished surface tension allows air bubbles to persist at the water's surface. Vigorous mixing of surface water by waves, water currents, rapids and even boating activity generates bubbles that persist and build up as foam. In lakes, reservoirs and ponds, foam collects along windward shores or may form long, evenly spaced lines, called ‘windrows', in open water areas resulting from water currents. In rivers and streams, foam is often found downstream of rapids, in back-currents (eddies) or below waterfalls and dams. While mostly natural, foam can be caused by synthetically produced surfactants released to surface waters. Natural foam typically appears off-white to brown in color and smells like fish or earth, whereas foam resulting from pollution such as detergent, is white in color and may have a fragrant, perfume-like smell.

For more information view the Foam Fact Sheet (PDF) or call toll-free (310-0000) to a regional office of Alberta Environment, or the Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Branch.

What causes fish kills?
Sometimes fish are killed by accidental spills of toxic materials, but most commonly in Alberta fish kills result from low dissolved oxygen levels or heat stress. Under certain conditions, lake cyanobacterial blooms can "collapse" and may start to decompose rapidly. This decay can result in low dissolved oxygen levels. Researchers have also associated ammonia, released during cyanobacterial decomposition, as another cause of summer kill.

What is Beaver Fever?
Beaver Fever, or giardiasis, is an intestinal disorder characterized by nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. Beaver Fever is caused by Giardia, a microscopic intestinal parasite that can infect many mammals, including humans. It can be transmitted through water contaminated by fecal material.

What is Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium is also an intestinal parasite which can infect warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, and humans. It can be transmitted through water contaminated by feces. Crpytosporidium causes severe diarrhea which can be fatal to immuno-compromised persons (e.g., AIDS victims, elderly). Neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia can reproduce outside of their host animal. For further information, click here.

Is my well water safe?
Albertans who obtain their drinking water from alternate sources - such as private wells, dugouts, canals, streams and lakes - are responsible for making sure their own drinking water is safe. Have the water tested on a regular basis and apply the appropriate treatment options based on the water quality reports. Albertans should contact their Regional Health Authority for further assistance.

Where can I get more information on groundwater?
In Alberta, groundwater is an essential resource - many rural residents rely on this resource for all of their domestic needs. Groundwater is also used for livestock watering, irrigation, and industrial processing, heating, and cooling. To find out more, visit the Groundwater Information System site.

How can I arrange to get surface water tested for quality?
There are a number of analytical laboratories which perform water quality analysis; check your Phone Directory Yellow Pages. Depending on what chemical variables (e.g., nutrients, metals, bacteria, pesticides) you wish to test your water for, the laboratory will charge you a certain amount to analyze your water sample. They will also provide you with some basic guidelines on how to collect your water sample to avoid contamination from other sources (i.e., dirty collection container, sediment in the water sample, etc., will compromise the results). If you are concerned about your drinking water, from your tap or groundwater well, contact your Regional Health Authority.

Why does my tap water smell in the spring?
Spring runoff moves many substances from the land into streams and rivers. Some of the natural substances, as well as those from human activity, may have unpleasant taste and odours. Municipal water treatment plants cannot always take out these tastes and odours, especially when the water is turbid and silty. However, the water is safe to drink.

Why should we protect the riparian zone?
The riparian zone is a margin of vegetation which includes trees, shrubs, and grasses extending at least 50 metres from the waterline of rivers and streams. The vegetation plays a critical and complex role in filtering and slowing runoff from farmland, capturing sediments during flooding, and building the storage capacity for groundwater that maintains streamflow in dry periods, and through the fall and winter. It provides shelter and forage area for a wide variety of waterfowl and mammals.

What can be done to minimize livestock damage along rivers and streams?
Direct access to the water's edge by livestock can damage or destroy the vegetative zone. Stream banks and shorelines become trampled, destroying vegetation and exposing bare soil to wind and water erosion. In addition, fecal material is introduced directly into the lake or river, increasing health risks to recreational users. For further information on initiatives to address this issue visit PFRA Program: National Soil and Water Conservation Program (NSWCP) in Alberta.