A provincial water specialist with the Department of Environment and Climate Change says there have already been signs of the harmful bacteria in the water.
“We have received reports of blue-green algal blooms already this year in the province and at least one of those has been validated as a definite toxin-forming bloom,” says Cameron Deacoff.But the consequences can be deadly for animals.“Dogs like to eat all kinds of gross things, and this is one of those things that attracts dogs,” says Deacoff.
“The best way that people can protect themselves from the potential harms associated with it is to know what it is, to know what it looks like, and to know how to recognize it,” explains Deacoff. The Halifax Regional Municipality monitors for the algae at its supervised beaches — but only from July 1st to August 31st.
“If we suspect that it is blue-green algae we will immediately close the beach, and take a test to see if it’s a toxin-producing blue-green algae because not all blue-green algae produce toxin,” says HRM Environment Manager Emma Wattie. “If it is a toxin-producing algae then we keep the beach closed.”“After swimming you should clean yourself off with some fresh water if you can,” she says. “Towel off just to make sure you get all that lake water off you.
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