Blue-green algae

Blue-green algae, or “cyanobacteria” by their scientific name, are microorganisms that have existed for over three billion years. They are naturally present in the lakes and rivers of Québec at low concentrations. Normally they do not cause any problems. However, under certain conditions blue-green algae can reproduce quickly and become extremely abundant. They then form what are called “algal blooms”.

• Best practices
• Documentation
• Intervention plan
• Regulations concerned by the Plan
• Governmental partners in the Intervention Plan
• Managing algae bloom episodes
• Other useful links
• Archives
• Information

• Summary guide to best practices for water bodies affected by blue-green algae (French, PDF, 231 kb)
• Summary guide: developing a lake watershed master plan and adopting best practices (French, PDF, 109 kb)
• Lakes and watercourses - Ours to save
• Development and upkeep of residential properties (French, PDF, 3,4 MB)
• Planting riparian strips - Protecting our heritage (French, PDF, 2 MB)
• Recommended plants for riparian strips in Québec (French)
• Information Capsules on Blue-green Algae (French)

• Flyers, brochures and articles (French)
• Frequently asked questions  (French)
• Guides, reports and studies (French)
• Publications by collaborators (French)
• Video (French)

Intervention plan

• Detailed intervention plan (French, PDF, 107 kb) - Updated - June 2015
• Newsletter - Québec-Australia-France meeting (French)
• Launch of the tree distribution campaign 2010 - Press release (French)
• Pilot projects to restore eutrophic lakes (French)
• Watersheds – Water Resource Integrated Management Zones (French)
• Partnership program in cyanobacteria research (French)
  • Research projects
  • Review of the literature projects

Regulations concerned by the Plan

• Regulation to prohibit the sale of certain dishwashing detergents
• Regulation respecting the protection of waters from pleasure craft discharges
• Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings

Governmental partners in the Intervention Plan

• Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT)
• Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS)
• Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ)
• Ministère de la Sécurité publique (MSP)
• Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Occupation du territoire (MAMOT)
• Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et des Exportations (MEIE)
• Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP)
• Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports (MTMDET)

Managing algae bloom episodes

• Definition (French)
• Procedures to follow (French)
• Tools (French)
• Results (French)
  • 2015 Blue-green Algae Bloom Episode Report (French, PDF, 804 Ko)
  • 2014 Blue-green Algae Bloom Episode Report (PDF, 2,5 Mo)
  • 2013 Blue-green Algae Bloom Episode Report (French, PDF, 1,7 Mo)
  • 2007-2012 Blue-Green Algae Bloom Episode Management Report (French, PDF, 6,5 MB)

Other useful links

• Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP)
• Drinking water
• Wastewater
  • Domestic, community, and municipal wastewater
  • Wastewater from isolated dwellings
  • Rainwater
• Santé

Information

For more information about blue-green algae, call:

418-644-4545 (Québec area)
514-644-4545 (Montréal area)
1-877-644-4545 (elsewhere in Québec)
Regional Offices