An algae toxin advisory is prompting officials to caution against swimming in Lake Minnewasta at the moment. Signs have been posted at Colert Beach indicating algae levels have exceeded provincial standards.
When asked what caused the algae growth, Mayor Nancy Penner explained it's a combination of being late in the season, the heat and stirring up of the water.
"We do have buffer zones around the lake at the intakes so, we do as much as we can to mitigate the nutrients," she added. "It's sort of the perfect storm, I guess we could call it, as blooms happen. A number of other lakes in Manitoba are under similar advisories."
Penner emphasized, this advisory applies only to recreational water use at Lake Minnewasta and that Morden's treated water supply is unaffected.
"There is no concern about our drinking water, it is safe. We're following all of the testing that is required and all of the Office of Drinking Water's standards that we need to. Our drinking water is safe and that's not an issue."
Meantime, the City continues to wait on an ultrasonic treatment system as a new way to lower the algae growth that typically occurs at this time of year.
"Currently, the Province is reviewing the system but has not yet provided final authorization," explained Penner. "We're waiting on LG Sonic and Clean Water Pro to finalize the monitoring plans, and the Province is approving the plan before the system is to be installed."
While the hope had been to install the system this year, Penner says that is unlikely to happen and is hoping for April 2026.
With files from Robyn Wiebe