The Threat of Algae Blooms in Your Water Features

HomeBlogThe Threat of Algae Blooms in Your Water Features

You have a beautiful water feature that worked in your landscape design. Whether it’s a waterfall, water garden, a pond, or a fountain, you may be noticing a build-up of algae in the water. Summertime can be a hotbed for algae blooms. These algae blooms aren’t just aesthetically unappealing—they can damage the filtration system and jeopardize the health of people and animals. Read on to learn more about how you can stop harmful algae blooms on your water features, and how the experts at New Hope Aquascapes and Landscaping can help.

Types of Algal Blooms

There are two forms of algal blooms: harmful and harmless. As the proud owner of a water feature, we’re sure you’re aware that it’s almost impossible to get rid of all algae. Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins. They have the appearance of foam, scum, form thick layers on the surface. These harmful blooms even can change the color of the water, making it appear green, red, brown, or teal. Algal blooms usually smell quite bad. Harmful algal blooms commonly occur in warmer weather or because of bacteria introduced into the water from storms.

Adverse Health Effects of Algal Blooms

Because there is no way to visually tell the difference between harmless and harmful algal blooms, you can never be too safe when dealing with algae. Depending upon the type of algal blooms and level of exposure, symptoms can vary widely. However, the warning signs of potential exposure to harmful algal blooms include:

  • Skin irritation
  • Eye irritation
  • Nose and throat irritation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Neurological symptoms
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage

Animals could die if they drink or live in water contaminated by harmful algae blooms.

At New Hope Aquascapes and Landscaping, we believe that the best way to avoid these health issues is to know what causes them. You become ill when you contact water contaminated with these harmful algal blooms. Luckily for you, your landscaped water feature probably isn’t being used for recreational activities like a lake or river. You also probably are not fishing in your koi pond or drinking from your waterfall. However, all it takes to come in contact with contaminated water is by breathing in tiny water droplets or mist.

Treating Algae Blooms in the Tri-Cities