If you're a fisherman, boater or just like being around the water, you may have noticed a few areas around the Calgary region and out in the Foothills affected by Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

As temperatures have cooled down Alberta Health Services is lifting the advisories for the areas of Pine Coulee Reservoir, Twin Valley Reservoir, Eagle Lake and Clear Lake.

AHS says with cooler water temperatures the algae is no longer a health concern for the season, but they're still reminding residents to never drink or cook with untreated water at any point in the year.

According to AHS, blue algae is a naturally occurring bacteria that is visible in certain bodies of water when conditions are calm.

The algae is known to be seen in a variety of colours, ranging from green, blue, a mixture of blue-green, brown and or pinkish-red.

Contact or ingestion of the algae is known to cause a range of flu like symptoms such as skin irritations, nausea, vomiting, swollen lips and a sore throat.

Direct ingestion of water is also linked to several severe health problems with livestock and pets who are brought near the bodies of water contaminated with the bacteria.

 

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