The Ministry of the Environment has advised KFL&A Public Health that test results from the lower Cataraqui River revealed the presence of toxins associated with blue-green algae.

“These results are not unexpected and our message remains clear,” said Ed Gardner, manager, Environmental Health with the KFL&A Public Health, “Visible algal blooms may produce toxins; therefore, using or drinking this water should be avoided”.

The highest concentrations of toxins are usually found in blooms and scum on the shoreline. These dense accumulations pose the greatest potential risks to people and pets.

Blue-green algae is not limited to the lower Cataraqui River. The Ministry of the Environment has confirmed another bloom in the waters near Joyceville. Blue-green algae thrive in warm, shallow, undisturbed water that receives a lot of sunlight and that is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. Animal and human waste and fertilizers contain phosphorus and nitrogen.

KFL&A Public Health reminds people using lakes and rivers to be on the lookout for algae blooms, which can be shades of blue, blue-green, yellow, brown, or red.

If blooms are visible:

Avoid using the lake water for drinking, bathing or showering, and do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the lake water.

If skin contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.

Residents should not boil the water because boiling the water may release more toxins into the water.

Residents should avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.

Residents should not eat the liver, kidneys or other organs of fish caught in the water.

Do not treat the water with a disinfectant like bleach. This may break open algae cells and release toxins into the water.

Residents should not rely on water jug filtration systems as they do not protect against the toxins.

On lakes and rivers where blue-green algae blooms are present, people who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply should consider an alternate, protected source of water.

For more information about blue-green algae, visit www.kflapublichealth.ca

via Toxins associated with blue-green algae in lower Cataraqui River – Kingston This Week – Ontario, CA.