Health officials have issued a blue-green algae warning for Myers Pier in Belleville.

The warning was issued Friday evening after the dangerous bacteria, which poses a potential health risk, was spotted in the bay at Myers Pier Marina, located at the foot of South Front Street.

Officials said the warning is aimed at people who draw drinking water directly from the Bay of Quinte at the Myers Pier area or use that part of the bay for recreational activities such as swimming and fishing.

It is not known how long it will take for the algae bloom to recede but health officials from the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit said the alert will remain in effect for two weeks following the disappearance of the algae bloom. Officials said the municipal drinking water systems have not been affected.

Dave Dodgson, manager of environmental health for the health unit, said last year’s more than normal episodes prompted the health unit to ramp up monitoring. He said the search turned up some blue-green algae in fairly low levels.

“When they looked a little further they found this patch which exceeded the alert level,” he said. “This was a relatively defined area that it occurred.”

He said the discovery was made earlier last week and the confirmation of the actual toxic levels was received Friday afternoon. He said the algae is holding up in an enclosed area that prevents any movement.

“It’s in an area where there’s not a lot of public swimming going on,” he said. “It’s in an area where people would be using their boat so exposure to humans is really unlikely.”

He added that “someone could jump off their boat and go for a swim, so they felt an obligation to issue the notice just to let people know.”

Blue-green algae toxins, if present in sufficient amounts, can cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, skin rashes and mucous membrane irritation.

“There is nothing we can do,” he said. “It’s a natural occurrence and it will come and go in its own time.”

Residents are advised to consult a water treatment specialist on how to treat water to be used for drinking and cooking because the toxins cannot be removed by boiling, chlorination or ultra-violet treatment.

Alternate sources of drinking water should be used by both people and animals. People should also avoid skin contact with water affected by blue-green algae blooms. Swimming, bathing or showering in affected water should be avoided.

Health officials added the liver, kidney and other internal organs of fish or shellfish from the affected water are not safe for eating. Pets or livestock must also be prevented from coming in contact with the polluted water.

Residents are urged to avoid direct contact by using an alternate water source but if that’s not available to use rubber gloves if they intend to use the water for washing clothes or dishes.

The Quinte Yacht Club, located just west of Myers Pier, hosted the Katie Grey yacht racing event over the weekend.

Matthew Jeff, a member of the club said from his knowledge they weren’t notified of any blue-green algae alert. The event attracted about 40 boats, one of which sank Saturday morning “right off Myers Pier.” He said all four occupants of the vessel made it safely to shore.

“There’s a tiny little sail sticking out of the water right now,” he said. “It’s not coming up for a while.”

Jeff said he was “not concerned at all” that any of the participants in the event were exposed to blue-green algae.

via Algae adds risk to water – Belleville Intelligencer – Ontario, CA.