Sue Gourley : Are you wondering where to start to get information on cyanobacteria?

Recenlty I met Beth who asked me to send her some information on cyanobacteria.
They found cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae) in her lake in the Gatineau this summer. Here is some of the information I sent to her. Blue-green algae will grow if the lake is shallow, warm and has lots of nutrients. Even without these conditions, it will grow. Human activity from faulty septic tanks and fertilizers are a major contributor of phosphorus that create the ideal growing conditions.
Never, never fertilize within 30 feet of the lake. You should immediately cease fertilizing anything even with organic fertilizers. They contain phosphates. Don't fertilize period. http://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/understanding-N-P-K
https://oraprdnt.uqtr.uquebec.ca/pls/public/docs/GSC127 /F1608261417_gril_cyanobacteria_28june2007b.pdf

Use automatic dishwasher powder that does not contain phosphates. Your septic tank will not filter phosphates. They go directly into the lake. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septic_tank Have your septic tanks all around the lake checked to make sure they are in good repair. We use Ecover automatic dishwashing powder. We have an old dishwasher and it seems to clean the best. There are lots of others to choose from.

Cyanobacteria releases its toxins when it blooms on the surface of the lake. Avoid touching the bloom. We have one lake (Lac Caron) in our community of 29 lakes where the Quebec Government has sent a public warning this year to say not to drink and not to swim in the lake and do not let your pets go near the water.
http://www.sadl.qc.ca/accueil/affichage.asp?langue=1&B=1211

Below are some other links for you:
WHO - world health organisation guide to cyanobacteria.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/toxicyanbact/en/
MDDEP - Government of Quebec portal for water quality and information
http://www.alguesbleuvert.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.asp
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/inter_en.htm
RSV lacs - volunteer water quality testing for lakes throughout quebec
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/rsv-lacs/description.htm
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/flrivlac/lacs_en.htm
ABRINORD was established and is partly funded by the Quebec Government. It concerns the whole watershed for the North River. Here are some documents in English on its website. http://www.abrinord.qc.ca/ficheinfo.html

CRELaurentides is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1955 to protect the environment in the Laurentians. It is supported, in part, by the Quebec Government
There are some english publications here. http://www.crelaurentides.org/publications.shtml

ABVLacs was the first community watershed organisation in Quebec. There is lots of information here. http://abvlacs.org/sadl/Sites-int%E9ressants.html

Sue Gourley - s.gourley@nfb.ca Member, ACSADL, ABVLacs, Club de Plein Air SADL
Resident Ste-Anne-des-Lacs