WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has advised the Renfrew County and District Health Unit that test results from water samples taken from Muskrat Lake have confirmed the presence of blue-green algae. The samples were taken from a small area of algae that was observed around the municipal boat launch in the Village of Cobden.
Blue-green algae blooms are a natural seasonal phenomenon that may appear in lakes, rivers and ponds. Some species have the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to people and animals. Toxins are released into the water when the algae cells are damaged or begin to decay. Direct contact with the toxin can cause skin irritation and if ingested in higher concentrations, may result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
The health unit recommends that people using Muskrat Lake, or any waterbody for recreational or drinking water purposes, should become familiar with blue-green algae so they can make informed decisions about using the water. Although algae blooms degrade with time, the length of time potential toxins remain in the area is dependent upon local water movement characteristics.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit advises people using Muskrat Lake to be on the lookout for algae blooms. If a bloom is present, please take the following precautions:
• Avoid direct contact with the bloom.
• Avoid using the water for drinking, bathing or showering and do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water (The Village of Cobden municipal water treatment system effectively removes the algae and potential toxins from the water).
• Boiling the water for drinking purposes should be avoided because boiling may release more toxins into the water.
• Toxins that may be released by blue-green algae are not removed by small scale residential treatment systems such as filtration, chlorination or ultraviolet light disinfection. Surface water is never a safe source of drinking water without effective treatment.
• Residents should not rely on water jug filtration systems as they do not protect against the toxins.
• Avoid cooking with the water because foods may absorb the toxin during the cooking process.
• Caution should be exercised with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms have occurred. Avoid eating the liver, kidneys and other organs of fish caught in the water.
• On lakes and rivers where blue-green algae blooms are confirmed, people who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply should consider an alternate, protected source of water.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit will continue to monitor the water conditions in Muskrat Lake.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change website at http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/blue-green-algae or the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website at http://rcdhu.com/healthy-living/safe-water/
