[All] Blue=green algae closing some beaches in Kent County on Lake Erie

[John Jackson]

If any of you are going for the holiday weekend to the shores of Lake Erie - especially places like Wheatley Provincial Park, be careful. Toxic blue-green algae are being found in the water at the shore in those areas. This is the same kind of algae that resulted in Toledo's water supply being closed down a year ago. 

John

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Daily News Staff 
Thursday, July 30, 2015 3:02:15 EDT PM

(QMI Agency file photo)



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Beaches in Wheatley have been closed due to reports of intense green water along the shores of Lake Erie.

Dr. David Colby, medical officer of health, said in a media release the green water around Getty's Beach and Pier Road Beach is likely connected to the cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) bloom which gives water a foul smelling pea-soup appearance.

Blue-green algae produces a toxins that are harmful to animals and people and can create a host of health issues including headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting if consumed and can cause itchy irritated skin and eyes on contact.

The municipality is monitoring water supplies to the water treatment plan and is testing regularly for the cyanobacterial toxin. At this point there is no health risk to the drinking water associated with the algae bloom, the health unit said.

The health unit, however, is advising against swimming or wading in water with green surface scum or noticeably green water colouration.

In addition the health unit warns against allowing children, pets or livestock from swimming or drinking the lake water, using it for bathing or showering.

Eating fish caught in water where cyanobacterial blooms are occurring is not recommended and boiling the water or treating it with disinfectant will result in releasing more toxins in the water.

 

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John Jackson
17 Major Street
Kitchener N2H 4R1
519-744-7503




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