Perceptions of freshwater algal blooms, causes and health among New Brunswick lakefront property owners

Abstract

Abstract Changes to water conditions due to eutrophication and climate change have resulted in the proliferation of harmful algal blooms in freshwater and marine environments globally, including in Canadian lakes. We developed and administered an online survey to evaluate the awareness of these blooms and the accompanying health risks in a sample of New Brunswick waterfront cottage and homeowners. The survey was distributed to lake and cottage associations in New Brunswick and was completed by 186 eligible respondents. Participants were asked to about information about the water quality of their lake, awareness about algae blooms, sociodemographic and cottage characteristics, and complete a self-rated measure of physical and mental health. While approximately 75% of participants reported that the quality of their lake water was good or very good, 40% indicated that algae blooms were a concern. We found no statistically significant differences in self-reported physical or mental health between those who were aware of algae blooms at their cottage and those who weren’t (p > 0.05). Participants expressed concern about the impacts of algal blooms on the health of their pets, and wildlife. While climate change was the most identified cause of algal blooms, there was substantial heterogeneity in the responses. Taken together, the findings from our survey suggest that cottage owners in New Brunswick are aware and concerned about the impacts of algae blooms, however, there is a need to provide additional information to lake associations about the causes of these blooms.