Quamichan Lake task force to fight toxic algae with barley

A task force charged with reducing levels of toxic algae suspected of killing several dogs that swam in QuamichanLake ishoping barley will do the trick.

According toNorthCowichanMayorJon Lefebure, when mixed into the lake,the bacterial properties of barley make it a perfect foil forthe deadly blue-green algae.

"Barley turns outto be a very good medium to grow bacteria that would consumethe phosphorus that the blue-green algae love," he said.

"The hope is thebarleywould provide a breeding ground for these bacteria that would consume enough of the phosphorus,[so]the blue-green algae would not have those ideal conditions [to thrive]."

Running tests

The algae is suspected in the deaths of at least four dogs late last year, leading to the assignment of theQuamichan Lake Water Quality Task Force.

• Toxic algae suspected in Cowichan-area dog deaths

HealthLinkBC advises blue-green algaecan sometimes releasetoxic chemicals into water, whichwhen drunk,can kill pets and livestock and make humans ill.

Lefebure is the chair of the task forceand says the plan to add barley will first be subject to several tests, including using it in some of the streams that flow into the lake.

"We could test the water in thestreambefore the barley and after the barley and then we could find out if the barley had been effective in removing nutrients before they got in the lake."

The mayor says the task force is also experimenting with other solutions, including adding the mineral zeolite, which would similarly target the phosphorus.

"We don't really believe that it'snecessarilygoing to be the entire solution but it may be part ofwhat we have to do

With files from CBC'sOn the Island