The Capital Regional District and Island Health have identified a visible blue-green algae bloom at Thetis Lake.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) said visitors are advised to avoid swimming in the lake, which is located in Thetis Lake Regional Park. Pet owners are asked to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake.
Island Health and CRD say the algae are known toxin producers and ingesting the water may cause a range of symptoms, including headaches and abdominal pain in humans, and can lead to lethal liver damage in dogs.
The algae usually produce a visible blue-green sheen, which appears as surface scum. However, not all blooms are easy to see and toxins can still be in the water even if a person can’t see the blooms.
Alert updates for the CRD can be found on their website here.
CHEK News
