Surface Water Quality FAQs and Glossary

1. How can I find out about the water quality of my lake? 
Alberta Environment monitors the water quality of a number of lakes and reservoirs across the province. Due to the large number of water bodies, the department is unable to check every lake every year. Surface water monitoring and more intensive studies are also conducted with volunteer groups, industries and researchers. All water quality data are verified and stored in a central Water Database System and may be obtained by contacting: swq.requests@gov.ab.ca.  Data or summary data reports on common water quality parameters, including water clarity, conductivity, pH, alkalinity, nutrients and ion chemistry are available using the Online Surface Water Quality Data webpage. Here, you can also access an inventory of sampling locations as well as trophic status charts for chlorophyll a (a measure of the amount of algae) and total phosphorus (the key plant nutrient) for Alberta lakes.  If you have more specific needs or concerns, please contact AENV-Web.SWQ@gov.ab.ca.

For information regarding public beach monitoring and advisories, visit Alberta Health Services - Environmental Health's Beach Sampling website.

2. What are algae?
Algae are a diverse group of aquatic plants that form an important component of aquatic food chains. Many species float or are suspended in water (called phytoplankton), while others grow attached to submerged substrates, including rocks, plants, sediment and animals. Algae range extensively in size and shape, from microscopic, single-celled organisms to colonial species that resemble larger plants. Most algae obtain their nutritional needs directly from the water itself. Primary nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon. Algae serve as a vital food source for microscopic animals, which then provide food for fish and other aquatic life.

3. What are cyanobacteria?
Cyanobacteria is a modern term used to describe a group of bacteria that, in the same manner as algae and plants, convert sunlight and nutrients into energy required for growth and reproduction. Because they share many similarities in overall appearance, nutrient requirements and habitat with algae, cyanobacteria were historically classified as algae and are still commonly referred to as blue-green algae. More than 100 species of cyanobacteria have been recorded in Alberta. Like algae, some species of cyanobacteria are suspended in water, while others grow attached to submerged substrates. Some are microscopic, single-celled organisms and others form large colonies easily seen in the water. Although they coexist with algae, cyanobacteria possess adaptations, such as the ability to use atmospheric nitrogen for growth, that often allow them to overtake algae populations. This gives cyanobacteria a competitive advantage in nitrogen-poor lakes. Most species also have the ability to regulate buoyancy, in order to position themselves at depths with optimum sunlight for growth. As a result, cyanobacteria grow extremely well during the warm summer months in Alberta's nutrient-rich lakes.

Cyanobacteria may impart noxious odour or disagreeable tastes to water and fish. Decomposition of cyanobacteria blooms may also lead to excessive depletion of dissolved oxygen in waterbodies, which in turn can cause winter and summer fish kills. More troublesome is the fact that several common species are known to produce potent liver and/or nerve toxins. These toxins have been linked to deaths of livestock, pets and wildlife, as well as mild to severe illness in humans consuming contaminated water. For further information on cyanobacterial toxicity, see the Cyanobacterial (“Blue-Green Algae”) Blooms and Toxicity brochure.

4. Why does my lake turn green?
Phosphorus and nitrogen are important nutrients for the growth of algae and cyanobacteria. For most lakes, these nutrients enter primarily from the surrounding watershed. However, nutrient-rich sedimentary bedrock and soils also exist throughout much of Alberta, which can cause naturally elevated concentrations of dissolved phosphorus and nitrogen in lakes. Once in a lake, nutrients can remain for some time and may cycle annually or more often. For instance, phosphorus is released from the bottom sediments of lakes into overlying water during periods of oxygen depletion. This deep, phosphorus-enriched water can mix with shallow surface waters during windy periods or during spring and fall turnover, in effect fertilizing the lake. The results are often excessive growth of both cyanobacteria and algae, which can make the lake look green and murky. When weather conditions are right, cyanobacteria may accumulate at the water's surface in what is known as a cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) bloom. Though this problem is natural to some extent, activities in and around lakes that further increase nutrient loading (including cottage and residential development, agriculture, forestry and other industry), can exacerbate it. For further information on cyanobacterial blooms, refer to the Cyanobacterial Blooms in Surface Waters fact sheet.

5. What are macrophytes?
This is a general term for large aquatic plants. Often referred to as "weeds", these plants are common in Alberta's shallow, productive lakes, and they represent a key component in lake ecosystems. Most are rooted plants that obtain their nutrients from sediments in the lake or river bottom. Some, such as cattails, emerge from the water, while others, such as pondweeds, are often referred to as submerged vegetation because they live under the water. A few types, like water lilies and duckweed, float on the surface.

6. Why are macrophytes considered important?
Macrophytes are essential to the ecological structure and function of lakes. For example, they provide food, oxygen and habitat for a wide variety of aquatic life including fish. Other aquatic and terrestrial life, such as muskrat, amphibians, moose, waterfowl and other bird groups, rely on macrophytes for food, shelter and other habitat needs. Macrophytes also help to stabilize shorelines and lake bottoms, reduce erosion by suppressing wave action, and may help to maintain good water quality by taking up nutrients which would otherwise encourage algal growth.

7. Can I cut the weeds in front of my cottage?
Aquatic plants are an important part of a natural aquatic ecosystem. They provide habitat for fish and help maintain water quality by stabilizing sediment. Provincial and Federal laws require an approval permit be obtained to remove aquatic vegetation.  More information, as well as application forms, can be found on Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Lands and Forest website.

8. Why do we get "itchy" after swimming in our lake?
Unfortunately, swimmer's itch is a common problem in many Alberta lakes, particularly in those with extensive weed beds and large waterfowl populations. The "itch" is caused by the intermediate stage of a parasite that normally requires ducks and aquatic snails as hosts. Humans come in contact with the tiny worm-like parasites, called schistosomes, while swimming. Although the parasites die, they cause an allergic reaction in the skin including itching. Be sure to shower well and towel down vigorously after swimming if you suspect your lake has these organisms.

9. Is it safe to eat the fish from my lake?
Limited data are available to define contaminant levels in fish tissues in Alberta lakes. Not all lakes have been tested. Lakes with fish and contaminant levels that are not safe for consumption are listed in the annual Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations.

10. What causes the water level in my lake to rise and fall?
Spring runoff and early summer rains usually produce the greatest volumes of inflow in Alberta, while lowest runoff occurs in fall. Lake levels tend to reflect these patterns, but their responses can be moderated by long-term climatic factors as well as by dams or weirs on the outflow. Groundwater inflows and outflows can also be important factors in regulating lake levels but are difficult to measure. The activities of beavers can play a surprisingly influential role in controlling lake inflows and outflows. Click here for more information on lake levels.

11. How can I protect my lake?
Alberta lakes are under pressure from increased development of industry, agriculture, residential, and recreational use.  In addition to increased development, changing environmental factors have resulted in water quality, lake levels and ecosystem impacts.  These cumulative effects surrounding lakes are creating various pressures on the lake that may not be sustainable.

Respect our Lakes is an education and awareness program that aims to inform the public about lake and lakeshore values to aid in achieving lake management outcomes.

Respect our Lakes is a joint program between Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and it consists of local level partnerships to promote shared stewardship.  Respect our Lakes acts as an “umbrella” for information resources available to Albertans regarding our lakes.

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12. How can I find out about the water quality of a river?
As with lakes, Alberta Environment regularly tests river water quality on a number of rivers and streams across the province. All collected data are archived into a comprehensive water database. The department also partners with industries, municipalities and stewardship groups on many studies and projects. If you would like to obtain basic water quality data for a specific river or stream, visit the Online Surface Water Quality Reports web page or contact swq.requests@gov.ab.ca for more detailed data. If you have concerns or questions about a river or stream, contact us at AENV-Web.SWQ@gov.ab.ca.

13. Where can I get river flow data?
The measurement of water in Alberta is accomplished through the operation of a variety of water data collection networks: hydrometric, snow survey, meteorological, telemetry, groundwater and water quality. Click here for more information on river flow data.

14. Is the water quality in the river safe for swimming?
This is a difficult question to answer with certainty. Although Alberta is making good progress in treating industrial and municipal wastes, particularly in large urban areas, there will always be some degree of uncertainty caused by the potential presence of untreated wastes (for example, storm sewer outflows) or other sources, such as livestock/wildlife feces. In pristine areas the risk is likely less, and this pattern tends to be borne out by the results of water quality testing. However, no agency has complete or continuous information on all rivers, and so individuals, must assume all risk for decisions made.

15. Is it safe to drink water from the river?
It is has long been advised that you do not drink untreated surface water anywhere in Alberta (or elsewhere in Canada). Although many waters may appear pristine, they may still contain natural chemicals or organisms that could make you ill. Check with Alberta Health Services – Environmental Health Program to find out the best methods for dealing with your drinking water needs. Municipal water treatment plants evaluate treated river water against Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines to determine whether the water is safe to drink.

16. Is it safe to canoe on the river?
Canoeing on the river can be limited by a number of factors, including high flows, low flows, current, severe weather events and time of year. For further information on flow advisories click here. For detailed information on the presence of rapids, travel times, access points, etc. contact your local canoe or kayak club.

17. Is it safe to snowmobile or ski on frozen rivers during winter?
River currents are continuously changing under ice as winter progresses, and as various sections freeze and thaw. The thickness of river ice is therefore highly unpredictable. We recommend that you avoid this dangerous environment as much as possible.

18. Are "real time" water quality data available?
The term "real time" refers to information collected in the field and transmitted almost instantly through the use of advanced electronic instrumentation coupled with satellite communications technology. Each year a certain number of river locations in Alberta are monitored using this approach. However, the technology is only developed to allow a few basic characteristics to be measured. The primary characteristics reported are: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity. Click here for real time data available on the Highwood River (during summer) and on the Athabasca River (during winter).

19. Is it safe to eat fish from the river?
As with lakes, limited data are available to define contaminant levels in river fish tissue. Check the annual Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations for a listing of consumption advisories.

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20. Are cyanobacterial blooms toxic?
Alberta's nutrient-rich lakes support an abundance of cyanobacteria, which can make the lake appear green and murky. When weather conditions are right, cyanobacteria may congregate at the water's surface in what is known as a cyanobacterial bloom. Bloom-forming species of cyanobacteria produce many compounds, some of which have toxic properties. In Alberta's lakes, the most common are the liver toxins called microcystins. Microcystins have been responsible for illness and death of livestock, pets, and wildlife following the consumption of cyanobacteria-infested water. Microcystins have also been linked to incidences of gastrointestinal illness in humans. Less common are the neurotoxins (nerve toxins), including anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(s), and saxitoxin. Although neurotoxic blooms tend to be more potent than those containing only microcystin, they occur less frequently. Neurotoxins have been linked to sporadic die-offs of ducks, shorebirds, and bats, as well as pets and livestock. Lastly, some cyanobacteria also produce dermal toxins that can yield dermatitis symptoms similar to swimmer’s itch and may include skin irritation, rashes, redness of the eyes, swollen lips, sore throat and hay fever-like allergic reactions. Incidences or outbreaks of contact dermatitis through recreational activities such as swimming, water skiing and boating have been reported.
It is important to realize that blooms usually comprise several coexisting species of cyanobacteria in varying abundance. This means that the majority of blooms will contain some amount of toxin. This also means that more than one toxin can be present at any given time. Although there are no recorded human fatalities linked to toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Alberta, these have occurred elsewhere around the world. Hence, all blooms should be treated with caution. Never consume untreated surface water at any time and provide alternative drinking water for pets and livestock during blooms and for up to two weeks after the blooms' disappearance. Contact with blooms should also be avoided. For further information on cyanobacterial blooms and toxicity, see the Cyanobacterial Blooms in Surface Waters and Cyanobacterial Toxicity fact sheets. For health concerns and questions about whether to swim in a lake, please visit Alberta Health Services - Environmental Health's Beach Sampling website.

21. What can I do to control the algae in my lake/dugout?
The best way is to control the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus (found in sewage, grey water, animal feces, fertilizers or silt from land erosion) that enters the water body. Provide a vegetative buffer of trees, shrubs and grasses around the water body. This will prevent erosion by holding soil and stabilizing the shoreline. A well-maintained vegetative zone may also filter out sediments, pesticides, microbes and heavy metals carried by rain and snowmelt runoff.

22. Why does foam form on lakes, rivers, and streams?
Plants, algae and cyanobacteria inhabiting watersheds and surface waters produce many organic compounds. Some of these compounds are surface-active agents or surfactants, as they are commonly called. Like soap, surfactants lessen the surface tension of water. Diminished surface tension allows air bubbles to persist at the water's surface. Vigorous mixing of surface water by waves, water currents, rapids and boating activity generates bubbles that persist and build up as foam. In lakes, reservoirs and ponds, foam collects along windward shores or may form long, evenly spaced lines, called "windrows", in open water. In rivers and streams, foam is often found downstream of rapids, in back-currents (eddies), or below waterfalls and dams. While mostly natural, foam can be caused by synthetically produced surfactants released to surface waters. Natural foam typically appears off-white to brown in colour and smells like fish or earth, whereas foam resulting from pollution such as detergent, is white in colour and may have a fragrant, perfume-like smell. For more information view the Foam Fact Sheet.

23. What causes fish kills?
Sometimes fish are killed by accidental spills of toxic materials. In Alberta, however, fish kills most commonly result from low dissolved oxygen levels or heat stress. Under certain conditions, cyanobacterial blooms in lakes can "collapse" and start to decompose rapidly. This decay can result in low dissolved oxygen levels. Researchers have also identified ammonia, released during cyanobacterial decomposition, as a cause of summer kill.

24. What is Beaver Fever?
Beaver Fever, or giardiasis, is an intestinal disorder characterized by nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. Beaver Fever is caused by Giardia, a microscopic intestinal parasite that can infect many mammals, including humans. It can be transmitted through water contaminated by fecal material.

25. What is Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium is also an intestinal parasite, which can infect warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife and humans. It can be transmitted through water contaminated by feces. Crpytosporidium causes severe diarrhea, which can be fatal to immuno-compromised persons (e.g., those infected with AIDS, elderly). Neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia can reproduce outside of their host animal. For further information, click here.

26. Is my well water safe?
Albertans who obtain their drinking water from alternate sources - such as private wells, dugouts, canals, streams and lakes - are responsible for ensuring that their own drinking water is safe. Have the water tested on a regular basis and apply the appropriate treatment options based on the water quality reports. Alberta Environment’s Working Well program works to ensure safe and secure groundwater supplies for water well users in Alberta.

27. Where can I get more information on groundwater?
In Alberta, groundwater is an essential resource - many rural residents rely on this resource for all of their domestic needs. Groundwater is also used for livestock watering, irrigation, and industrial processing, heating and cooling. To find out more, visit the Groundwater Information System site.

28. How can I arrange to get surface water tested for quality?
There are a number of analytical laboratories that perform water quality analysis; check your telephone directory (e.g., Yellow Pages). Depending on which chemical variables (e.g., nutrients, metals, bacteria, pesticides) you want to test your water for, the laboratory will charge you a fee to analyze the sample. They will also provide you with some basic guidelines on how to collect the sample and avoid contamination from other sources (e.g., dirty collection container or sediment in the water sample) which can compromise the results. If you are concerned about your drinking water from your tap or groundwater well contact Alberta Health Services – Environmental Health Program.

29. Why does my tap water smell in the spring?
Spring runoff moves many substances from the land into streams and rivers. Some of the natural substances, as well as those from human activity, may have unpleasant tastes and odours. Municipal water treatment plants cannot always remove these tastes and odours, especially when the water is turbid and silty. However, the water is safe to drink.

30. Why should we protect the riparian zone?
The riparian zone is a margin of vegetation, which includes trees, shrubs and grasses from the waterline of rivers and streams. The vegetation plays a critical and complex role in filtering and slowing runoff from farmland, capturing sediments during flooding, and building the storage capacity for groundwater that maintains stream flow in dry periods, and through the fall and winter. It provides shelter and forage area for a wide variety of waterfowl and mammals.

31. What can be done to minimize livestock damage along rivers and streams?
Direct access to the water's edge by livestock can damage or destroy the vegetative zone. Stream banks and shorelines become trampled, destroying vegetation and exposing bare soil to wind and water erosion. In addition, fecal material is introduced directly into the lake or river, increasing health risks to recreational users. For further information related to the protection of water quality and best management initiatives by agriculture visit the links at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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