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Blue-green algae advisory lifted for Alix Lake

Alberta Health still warning not to drink, use untreated lake water
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Blue-green algae is no longer a health concern now that the temperature has cooled, according to Alberta Health.

The province announced on Wednesday that it will be lifting a bloom advisory for a number lakes in the area including Alix Lake. The reason being is because lakes and reservoir water temperatures have cooled enough to make blue-green algae no longer a health concern.

A total of eight bodies of water were placed under a bloom advisory, which includes Battle Lake, Buck Lake, Fyten Reservoir/Swalwell Dam, Pigeon Lake, Pine Lake, Wapasu Lake, and Wizard Lake.

Just because the advisory is lifted doesn’t mean residents should be using or drinking untreated water. Alberta Health says that’s not a good idea at any time.

Blue-green algae happens naturally and can be seen on water when the weather is calmer and usually looks like scum, grass or globs. The algae doesn’t always come in blue or green but also brown and pinkish-red and smells musty or grassy.

Alberta Health says anyone who comes into contact with the algae or thinks they might have, should call Health Link at 811.