Algae treatment is on the horizon for Morden’s beloved Lake Minnewasta.  

Visitors may have encountered the blue-green algal growth that tends to appear when temperatures rise in late July and early August. 

Nancy Penner, the mayor of Morden, says that on June 24th, Morden City Council passed a resolution that approves algae control measures for the lake.  

According to Mayor Penner, Clean Water Pro, a Manitoban company headquartered in Carman that specializes in a variety of services related to water treatment, will implement the algae-controlling plan.  

“[Clean Water Pro] is going to supply and install some ultrasonic algae control systems and they'll also provide testing and monitoring services as required.”  

Ultrasonic algae control systems are placed in lakes to emit certain sound wave frequencies that harm algae.  

Mayor Penner says Clean Water Pro will be responsible for extended testing and monitoring if the Pest Management Regulatory Agency extends the Research Authorization. If they don't get the extended licensing, then City will receive a refund for the cost of the second year of testing.  

“We'll . . . monitor [the project] and see the success of this mitigation that we're doing for the algae blooms.”  

Manitoba Water Services will help fund the project, says Mayor Penner.  

“The cost is . . . [approximately] $493,000 and we are waiting on some licensing to make this program go [forward]. [If it is not granted], we will get a bit of a rebate on the funding,” says Mayor Penner. “We're looking at about a $227,000 refund if we don't get the licensing.” 

The technology for the project has not been approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency yet, but the city is waiting for this approval.

Mayor Penner hopes the ultrasonic algae control systems will be put in this summer.  

“[W]e have a bit of a delay because we're just passing the resolution now, but we have lots of summer left and hopefully we can get the equipment up and installed at the lake.” 

The new measures to battle algae in Lake Minnewasta could potentially bring far-reaching benefits.  

"Everybody knows what it's like in August for swimming, and [the systems] should also help with the water treatment plants in terms of dealing with the algae. Sometimes they have difficulty with the taste of the water and with the water treatment, so there may be a double bonus there.” 

If the project goes well, it may be something that Morden invests in long-term.  

“We'll see how the cost goes and what funding we can get for it and . . . see how it fits in with our budget going forward.” 

According to Mayor Penner, the algae project was a topic in 2022, but because of funding constraints, it was put off until this year.  

“Every year we're dealing with algae and when we have to start canceling swimming lessons and the beach is closed because of algae blooms, we need to do something,” says Mayor Penner. “This technology is out there. We wanted to ensure that we're doing all we can with the algae bloom.” 

For Mayor Penner, the lake is a prominent feature of Morden and should be protected as such.

“[Lake Minnewasta] is a gem of a lake, a gem of Morden, [and the] heartbeat of our summer.” 

Listen to the full interview with Mayor Nancy Penner below.  

~With files from Robyn Wiebe~