Blue-green algae blooms have been confirmed at an area lake.
Samples taken on July 14 at Horwood Lake are positive for blue-green algae, says Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).
"The samples contained a species of cyanobacteria that can produce toxins," reads a PHSD news release.
Blue-green algal blooms look like pea soup and have a foul smell. People should not use or drink water in areas where it is visible.
Because the algae are not anchored, the health unit says it can move around the lake via the wind and water moving. New blooms can also form. Toxins are usually found in the highest concentration on shorelines.
The algae toxins are a potential risk to people and pets.
"The algae toxins can irritate a person’s skin and, if ingested, cause diarrhea and vomiting. If a person ingests high levels of toxin, they could suffer liver and nervous system damage," says the health unit.
If you spot blue-green algae near your property or water intake line, PHSD advises people to:
- Avoid using the water for drinking, bathing, or showering, and do not allow children, pets, or livestock to drink or swim in the bloom.
- Be aware that shallow drinking water intake pipes can pump in blue-green algae.
- Do not boil the water or treat it with a disinfectant, like bleach, because it breaks open the algae cells, which releases more toxins into the water.
- Do not rely on water jug filtration systems as they may not protect against the toxins.
- Avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.
- Follow the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Guide to Eating Ontario Fish. Exercise caution with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algal blooms occur. Residents should not eat the liver, kidneys, and other organs of fish.
"On lakes and rivers where blue-green algal blooms are confirmed, people who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply may wish to consider an alternate, protected source of water," reads the news release.
"For more information on blue-green algae, including a list and map of water bodies with confirmed blooms, please visit our website at phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury and Districts at 705-522-9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200)."
