Plan underway to deal with blue-green algae in Hawrelak Lake

City officials and organizers of the International Triathlon Union world championship expressed cautious optimism on Friday that athletes will be able to swim in the lake atHawrelak Park next week.

The man-made lake used for the swimming portion of the event was closed by Alberta Health Services Wednesday after blue-green algae was discovered in the water.

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Rob Smyth, the city's manager of community of recreation services, said crews are chlorinating the water after moving the blue-green algae out of the way.

"We put a couple of boats in the lake and we put a boom between the two boats, and basically dragged as much of the blue-green algae to the south portion of the lake as possible," Smyth said.

Don Lowry, chairman of the Edmonton triathlon organizing committee, said everyone is working hard to fix the problem. He is optimistic the lake will be ready bySept. 4.

"Everything that can be done is being done," Lowry said. "And [in] early days, it looks good."

Blue-green algae can cause skin rash, and can sicken anyone who accidentally swallows the water.

If the plan doesn't work, the swim portion will be cancelled and the race will become a duathlon with running and biking only.