Wood Lake algae bloom a low health risk
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Bluesky
-
Share on X
- Copy Link
It is unsightly but the large algae bloom on Wood Lake has been determined to be a low risk to humans and animals.
Interior Health, the District of Lake Country and the Regional District of Central Okanagan state the while the bloom contains blue-green algae, testing indicates the risk to the public remains low. The water is considered safe for use.
Visitors and residents are reminded not to drink or cook using untreated water directly from lakes, ponds or wetlands due to the risk of waterborne illness. Boiling the water will not remove any toxins from blue-green algae blooms. Provide pets and livestock with an alternative source of drinking water where there are active algae blooms, as they can be sensitive to toxins.
Algae blooms are naturally occurring throughout B.C. Blooms may vary in colour from blue, green, brown, yellow, orange to red and appear like foam, scum, mats on surface or soup. Some algae blooms may also smell unpleasant. Algae blooms containing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) may produce harmful toxins.
