Latest news with #bluegreenalgae
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a precautionary notice to residents based on initial laboratory results of a blue-green algae bloom in the region. WECHU reports the bloom is in the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129, in between St. Joachim and Comber. While initial chemical analysis does not show the presence of Microcystin related toxins within the samples collected, toxicity may increase due to the algae identified in the bloom. The health unit said residents on the municipal drinking water system can continue to drink the water. Routine water testing is done by the municipal water treatment plant and at this time there are no concerns. 'As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,' says Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health. Residents that use wells or cisterns that draw water directly from the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129 (such as private cottages with wells) are advised not to drink the water unless they are routinely testing for microcystins using a licensed lab and results show levels less than 1.5 ppb. What is blue-green algae? Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. Contact with microcystins can produce negative health effects in humans such as skin and eye irritations and if ingested can lead to headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Dog walkers warned of deadly algae risk during heatwave
Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets away from lakes and rivers this summer amid a rise in toxic blue-green algal blooms. Government officials have seen a high number of so-called blue-green algal blooms around the UK this year as a result of the hot and dry weather. These events occur when thriving colonies of bacteria use the warmth and sunlight to reproduce rapidly. They create a colourful scum on the water, which if ingested can make humans ill and kill animals, with dogs particularly susceptible to the toxins. Officials and animal welfare experts have urged caution this summer with people encouraged to keep themselves, children and pets away from plagued rivers and lakes. Algal blooms have become more common since 2015 because of climate change, experts say. Charlie Matthias, the senior veterinary surgeon at Dogs Trust, told The Telegraph: 'As temperatures continue to soar and water levels drop, there is a potential for an increase in blue-green algae. 'Blue-green algae can make your dog very sick and, in some cases, prove fatal if ingested even in small quantities. 'We're urging all dog owners to avoid letting their dogs swim in or drink from lakes or rivers that look green, scummy, have surface foam or have warning signs nearby. 'Blue-green algae is not always easy to spot, so if in doubt, don't let your dogs swim in or drink from the water.' Blue-green algal blooms form when nutrient-rich water, often enriched by chemicals from farms and warm weather, cause bacteria called cyanobacteria to grow rapidly. Still and slow-moving water are prone to these blooms which emerge quickly following prolonged exposure to sunlight and warm temperatures. They often persist for several months once formed and until colder weather arrives. Authorities are expecting the issue to endure for several months yet. The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) runs a 'Bloomin' Algae' project where the public send in images of suspected toxic blooms and experts determine if it is. Data show that half of the about 200 submissions this year are blue-green algal blooms, with a further 34 being 'plausible'. The blooms have been found across the UK from Norfolk and Essex to Birmingham and the Lake District and submissions show that some dogs have fallen ill for several days after going for a swim. Confirmed cases were also sent in by people swimming or paddleboarding in affected bodies of water. Once a bloom is confirmed landowners are obliged to put up signs warning the public. Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning in dogs can appear within minutes and include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, muscle tremors, seizures, breathing difficulties, and collapse. Dogs should be taken to a vet immediately as there is no antidote and the cognition can be fatal as the toxins attack the liver and neurological system. If caught early enough a vet can flush the toxins out of the system. Dr Linda May, a freshwater ecologist from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said: 'Dogs are particularly at risk, because they are susceptible to the toxins that some algal blooms release into the water. 'Smaller dogs only need to consume a small quantity to be at high risk of death. So please, take your dog to a vet immediately if they seem unwell after being in contaminated water.' Anna Ewers Clark, a veterinary standards lead at national pet charity Blue Cross, added: 'Although there is no specific antidote, supportive treatment is essential. These toxins are very dangerous and can kill, sadly even with treatment.' She added: 'This is very concerning. Even small quantities of water or licking contaminated water off the coat can be dangerous.' An Environment Agency spokesperson said: 'Blue-green algae, a naturally occurring environmental phenomenon, is more likely to appear during warm, settled, dry weather and can pose risks to both animals and humans. 'We urge the public to call our 24/7 incident hotline at 0800 80 70 60 if they suspect a bloom of blue-green algae in any rivers, streams, or lakes so our teams can collect and test samples to ensure warnings are in place.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council losing control of lake after toxic sample
A council is set to give up ownership of a lake after inspectors found high levels of toxicity in the water. On 2 July, the Environment Agency (EA) took a sample at Canvey Lake in Essex and found the cell count of blue-green algae was 2.5 million per millilitre. The EA's "warning threshold" for the algae is 20,000 cells per millilitre. Canvey Island Town Council said it had been doing "all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife" but that it was surrendering its lease to the local borough council. Castle Point Borough Council said it would write up a plan to restore the lake to "sound ecological health" and would maintain it going forward. The high bacterial readings were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Friends of Canvey Lake group. Campaigner Martin England, 61, said the town council had "neglected" the lake and the situation was heading towards an "environmental disaster". He said the council failed to dredge the lake frequently enough, and the hot weather had led to the outbreak of blue-green algae. "The birds and the fish have been dying, it's that simple," he said. Dead fish have been seen floating on the lake's surface in the past, and fish were moved from the lake in 2023 because of the lack of oxygen in the water. Hayley Cockayne, 49, said: "I think it's unacceptable and it shouldn't have been allowed to continue for such a long time." She recalls taking sick wildlife to the local hospital, adding: "[In 2022] I stepped out my door to be confronted by dead fish floating, a horrendous stench, wildfowl staggering - drowning." She said she feeds and provides fresh water to wildlife, such as ducks, each day near the lake. In a detailed statement, Canvey Island Town Council said it had carried out various steps to manage the area. Barley straw was installed in May to reduce potential algae blooms, an aerator has been installed to help with oxygen levels and vast quantities of fish have been removed over the course of three years. It has also put signs up warning people to stay away from the water. "The town council is doing all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife and to the local area," a spokesperson said. Long-term projects to preserve the lake would need more funding, the town council added. A Castle Point Borough Council spokesperson said: "[The council] will prepare a fully costed business plan that sets out a programme that not only restores Canvey Lake to a condition of sound ecological health, but also maintains the lake in good condition through ongoing maintenance." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Call for council to be abolished over lake dispute Public warned to keep away from toxic lake Related internet links Canvey Island Town Council Castle Point Borough Council Environment Agency
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Toxic algae in Canvey Lake leads to council action
A council is set to give up ownership of a lake after inspectors found high levels of toxicity in the 2 July, the Environment Agency (EA) took a sample at Canvey Lake in Essex and found the cell count of blue-green algae was 2.5 million per EA's "warning threshold" for the algae is 20,000 cells per Island Town Council said it had been doing "all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife" but that it was surrendering its lease to the local borough council. Castle Point Borough Council said it would write up a plan to restore the lake to "sound ecological health" and would maintain it going forward. The high bacterial readings were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Friends of Canvey Lake Martin England, 61, said the town council had "neglected" the lake and the situation was heading towards an "environmental disaster".He said the council failed to dredge the lake frequently enough, and the hot weather had led to the outbreak of blue-green algae."The birds and the fish have been dying, it's that simple," he fish have been seen floating on the lake's surface in the past, and fish were moved from the lake in 2023 because of the lack of oxygen in the water. Hayley Cockayne, 49, said: "I think it's unacceptable and it shouldn't have been allowed to continue for such a long time."She recalls taking sick wildlife to the local hospital, adding: "[In 2022] I stepped out my door to be confronted by dead fish floating, a horrendous stench, wildfowl staggering - drowning."She said she feeds and provides fresh water to wildlife, such as ducks, each day near the lake. In a detailed statement, Canvey Island Town Council said it had carried out various steps to manage the straw was installed in May to reduce potential algae blooms, an aerator has been installed to help with oxygen levels and vast quantities of fish have been removed over the course of three has also put signs up warning people to stay away from the water."The town council is doing all it can to stop the environmental stress to the wildlife and to the local area," a spokesperson projects to preserve the lake would need more funding, the town council added.A Castle Point Borough Council spokesperson said: "[The council] will prepare a fully costed business plan that sets out a programme that not only restores Canvey Lake to a condition of sound ecological health, but also maintains the lake in good condition through ongoing maintenance." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae warning issued for Pigeon Lake
Signs have been posted around Pigeon Lake, south west of Edmonton, warning residents and visitors to avoid the water, due to a blue-green algae advisory. Monday, July 30. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Pigeon Lake. Exposure to blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It can be fatal to pets. AHS says that visitors should avoid all contact with blue-green algae blooms and to wash with tap water as soon as contact occurs. It is advised not to swim or wade or to allow pets to do so in areas where blue-green algae is visible. While it is recommended to limit human consumption of whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake, filets are still safe. Do not feed whole fish, fish filets or fish trimmings from the lake to pets. Blue-green algae is naturally occurring and can often look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy. Waters of Pigeon Lake can still be used for recreational purposes where blue-green algae blooms are not visible. Pigeon Lake is located about 70 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.
