Why you should avoid water with blue-green algae blooms

May 16, 2025
Blue-green algae blooms like this one—which are in fact microscopic bacteria called cyanobacteria—start appearing in the warmer spring and summer months.

Algae are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystems of lakes and algae blooms can occur throughout the Interior Health region.

Blue-green algae are actually a microscopic bacteria called cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can live in waters through winter. In the warmer spring and summer months, cyanobacteria can multiply very quickly and produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous to people, pets and livestock.

“It’s that time of year when we can see increased blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms on lakes. These blooms tend to stay on the water surface and may have a leafy scent,” says Interior Health medical health officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi. “Sometimes blooms can be toxic for those who come in contact with the water. My advice is to use common sense and avoid contact or consuming water if you suspect there is a cyanobacteria bloom.”

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