Algae bloom at Victoria lake leads to swimming warning

Blue-green algae, which can be deadly for pets and cause illness in humans, has been revealed in water samples taken from the waters ofElk andBeaver lakesin Victoria.

The algae bloom, which appears as surface scum, means the Capital Regional District is posting warnings urging visitors not to ingest any of the lake water and to keep pets away from it.

Dr. Glenn Harris, senior manager of environmental protection with the CRD, says blooms like these are commonbut don't last long.

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"Usually a couple of weeks after the first sighting, the water's usually pretty safe to get back into," he told All Points West guest host David Lennam. "We have the signs up, [as a precaution], this week and probably next week, and we continue to test the water to make sure we can give the green light to go back in."

Harris says the blooms are a function of lake ecosystems andcommonly seen in other area lakes for instance, on Saltspring Island, St. Mary's Lake is having one.

He says they are largely caused by high phosphorous levels, and the CRD is looking at a way to reduce blooms, especially at Elk/Beaver Lake Park, because it has so many visitors.

With files from CBC Radio One's All Points West

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