The blue-green algae bloom in the Thames River in Chatham is getting smaller.
The Ministry of Environment says blue-green algae forms as a result of high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, warm water temperature, and the weather.
Jason Wintermute with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority says the river seems to be getting back to normal.
"It definitely seems to improving. It had that nice green colour over the last few days but the green is disappearing and the river is starting to look a lot more normal," says Wintermute.
The conservation authority is still warning people to avoid swimming in the river and not allow animals to drink from the river until the algae is all gone.
Blooms can be limited by using phosphate-free cleaning products, reducing fertilizer use, keeping natural vegetation along shorelines, and maintaining septic systems.
Wintermute says the cooler weather is helping.
"It definitely looks like it's getting better and that's largely because the winds have picked up and it's moving stuff around. It's also cooled off because it needs the heat to make it bloom and that's helping the situation. So, the river looks like it's improving," Wintermute says.
Wintermute says it's unusual to see algae blooms in the Thames River in Chatham.
"We haven't been aware in the past of it occurring, isolated upstream on the Thames River before. So, this is new for us," says Wintermute.
