LAC BEAUPORT, Que. — The spread of blue-green algae in about 70 Quebec lakes last year has prompted the provincial government to invest $12-million to fight the toxin.
Most of the money will go to municipalities to help improve water quality, increase monitoring and reduce the amounts of phosphates flowing into the lakes. Up to 2-million trees will be planted over the next two years along lakes and riverbanks to protect against run-offs.
Cyanobacteria is the scientific name for blue-green algae, which forms in shallow, warm, slow-moving water. The toxins, which are a naturally produced poison is often the result of human activity and can pose serious health problems causing vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, fever and headaches.
The use of fertilizers and faulty septic tanks are among the main causes for the contamination. The government has rejected calls for coercive action and is seeking citizen involvement in correcting the problem, inviting people to take the symbolic gesture of signing the Charter of Lakes unveiled Monday as part of their commitment to improve water quality.
“The municipalities have powers and have the ability to intervene. If that isn't enough after this mobilization we won't exclude the possibility of exercising more coercive action. If that has to be done, we will do it,” Premier Jean Charest said Monday.
Environmental groups wanted the government to act immediately with tougher measures rather than rely exclusively on the good will of land developers, cottagers and local residents.
“There are always those who refuse to act who discourage those who want to improve the environment and protect the lakes,” said Jacques Leclerc a spokesperson for a community group in Lac Beauport near Quebec City. “We wanted the government to impose more constringent measures. This would have done a great deal more to improve the situation.”
Last year residents in a number of communities were placed on alert when algae threatened their drinking. For instance in the Eastern Townships, the towns of North Hatley, Waterville and Ayers Cliff were put on alert after blue algae was found in Lake Massawippi and near the main water supply intake pipes.
A similar situation was discovered in Lac Beauport, another densely populated lake shore community. The lake feeds into Lac St-Charles, the water supply for 250,000 residents in the Quebec City region.
In most cases where the blue-green algae was found residents were placed under a water ban, unable to drink or bathe.