Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
It happens every summer: blue-green algae bloom into vast blankets of colourful scum in lakes, disrupting ecosystems and potentially exposing people to toxins. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, act as single-celled microscopic plants fuelled by high temperatures and nutrients often found in chemical runoff.
Much of the surface of Jones Lake in Moncton's west end is covered by a thick, green layer of scum. The city has determined it's "horse hair" algae, also known as "cotton ball" algae. Dan Hicks, the director of parks for the city, says it might not look good, but it isn't toxic to people or pets. "It doesn't cause really human health issues in any great way, but there's certainly an abundance of it in Jones Lake right now," he said.
