Algae Watch
Due to the recent weather conditions, an increase in algae blooms in B.C. lakes are anticipated resulting in higher volume of submissions. As a result, our response time may be longer than normal.
If you see an algae bloom and suspect there may be a risk to human health, please contact your local Health Authority.
Algae Watch is an educational program for citizen science data gathering. Our goal is to help people recognize and identify algae blooms in B.C. lakes.
Learn about algae
Recognize algae blooms
Citizen science is the voluntary participation of the public in scientific research. Through citizen science, you can contribute to monitoring and data collection programs to increase scientific knowledge about the world around us. Algae Watch relies on citizen science to help our water quality experts identify and better understand cyanobacteria and algae blooms in B.C.
Concerns related to drinking and/or recreational water use
If you have concerns that are immediate and related to drinking and/or recreational water use, please contact your local health authority.
If you, or your pet, have become unwell after contact with water that you think may be contaminated with cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), we strongly recommend that you seek immediate medical or veterinary advice.
When in doubt, stay out!
For spills and environmental violations
To report a spill or other contamination source, contact the Provincial Emergency Program, Environmental Management B.C. spill reporting line at 1-800-663-3456.
To report an act of pollution, contact the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277), or report a violation online.
