Nova Scotia prepares for blue-green algae as the summer season begins

Blue algae blooms are making their presence known in the Maritimes as summer approaches.

It may not have been beach weather in the Halifax area Wednesday, but as the summer approaches it won’t be long until beaches are full.

“Around this time of year, we’re working with our colleagues in recreation, making sure all of our protocols are up to date, and that any changes that need to be made have been approved,” said Halifax Regional Municipality Environment Manager Emma Wattie.

Supervised beaches in Halifax officially open for the season July 1, which is when water quality testing begins.

“Bacteria likes it warm. They like it sunny, much like us, but they want more shallow water typically,” said Wattie.

Both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments are warning about the risk of blue-green algae as temperatures rise.

It can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup or sometimes like a thick scum on the surface.

Consuming or swimming in water with blue-green algae can cause skin, eye and throat irritation in humans but it can be much worse for dogs.

“These toxins are extremely potent, so even a small volume can be lethal,” said Dr. Dan Maguire, a veterinarian at PetFocus Veterinary Hospital Bedford South.

Maguire said if you think your pet may have consumed contaminated water, you should get them treatment right away.

“This can be harmful to both the liver and the nervous system,” he said. “Symptoms can appear from minutes to hours, and we’re looking for things like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness.”

Wattie said blue-green algae is happening more frequently and in larger blooms but there wasn’t any more in the Halifax area last year than in year’s past.

“When a beach or a lake has a blue-green algae bloom, it’s more likely for that bloom to come back year to year, so we are seeing it in areas like Cunard Pond, and Birch Cove, and Lake Banook,” she said.

There are other water issues to be on the lookout for this summer.

“We test for enterococci in the saltwater and E. coli in freshwater,” said Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service Director Paul D’Eon. The service monitors provincial beaches.

“If we get poor results, we implement a closure and do re-testing,” D’Eon said.

If someone does come across blue-green algae in Halifax Regional Municipality, they should contact 311. Sightings at Nova Scotia beaches can be reported by calling 1-877-936-8576.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page