The last thing anyone wants to see is slime pouring out of the tap. But increasingly this happens when the water is turned on. Algae is clogging freshwater intakes and presenting serious problems. On the west coast of Canada - known for its abundant water resources - there have been a number of cases reported over the past few years.

Algae are tiny aquatic plants, ranging from microscopic to massive colonies. Since they are photosynthetic, algae need sunlight, keeping them to surface waters. There are thousands of species, including green and blue-green algae as well as diatoms and flagellates.

The most recent examples are communities in northern BC around Cluculz and Tachik Lakes. Unfortunately, the culprits are cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, that may contain neurotoxins or hepatotoxins - making it particularly important to avoid drinking affected water. Luckily, decomposing algae also stink, making it a little harder to mistakenly swallow. Boiling the water doesn’t help. Animal poisonings have been attributed to lethal doses of these organisms.

Lakes are particularly prone to algal blooms. Shallow warm water creates the perfect conditions, so summer is the main time for algal growth. Moving water like rivers tend to wash algae downstream before accumulation is a problem. Any lake will host some algae, but man-made contaminants tend to promote overgrowth, known as eutrophication. Fertilizers, agricultural waste, and sewage increase nitrogen and phosphorus levels, helping algal population explosion.

A brown slimy algae, dubbed rocksnot but properly Didymosphenia geminata, is on the rise in some rivers, including the Columbia. Although the species is native to North America and northern Europe, it has only presented problems since the 1990s. Recently, it also appeared in New Zealand, possibly travelling on fly-fishing equipment. With its ability to form dense mats, fish reproduction can be impaired through oxygen depletion.

BC is not alone in suffering complications. Currently, Lake Erie is hosting huge blue-green algal blooms. Marine algae also pose problems, although not to drinking water. With the potential for toxin build-up, oxygen decreases, and other effects, algal populations are a serious issue. Ultimately, it comes down to pollution and prevention.

Photo credit: Battling Apathy@Flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aryn/2801494247/)