The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Water Security Agency is warning the public to avoid swimming in or drinking water where blue-green algae blooms are occurring. 

The calm, hot weather recently are prime conditions of algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs with shallow, slow-moving or still water. 

Usually with a blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan colour, the algae can give the water a shimmering, foamy pea soup appearance. 

Swimming or ingesting blue-green algae can cause red skin, sore throat, cramps, or diarrhea. The Ministry says you should be cautious eating any fish or shellfish in an area where an algae bloom may exist. 

Blue-Green Algae can also be fatal for dogs and livestock if ingested. 

Test results for water quality at recreational beaches are posted weekly from July to early September on the Government of Saskatchewan’s Healthy Beaches website.