Latest news with #bluegreenalgae
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Windermere swimmers warned after blue-green algae found in lake
Swimmers have been told to avoid part of a popular lake after harmful blue-green algae was found in the blooms, which can make people ill if swallowed, were discovered at the Lakeside YMCA bathing area in Windermere, in the Lake campaigners said they believed it had been caused by a combination of pollution flowing into the lake and the warmer Environment Agency said blue-green algae - which can turn the water green - is "naturally occurring" and can appear across the UK, but advised people to avoid swimming in the affected area. Blue-green algae is technically not an alga but a collection of microscopic organisms known as cyanobacteria, which is naturally present in lakes and when conditions are right it can become abundant and form blooms, which can discolour the water or produce scums on its blooms can produce toxins which can cause a rash and make people ill if swallowed. It can also be dangerous to animals, such as dogs. The founder of Save Windermere, Matt Staniek, said the primary source of nutrients for blue-green algae in the lake came from sewage."When you get a combination of sewage flowing into the lake providing the nutrients, which is essentially fertiliser for algae, and nice warm weather like we've got now, that's when we're more inclined to see blue-green algae in the lake," he said."This is just going to get worse and worse with climate change." According to the Environment Agency's bathing water quality map, there are currently three areas in the Lake District swimmers are advised to Lakeside YMCA, Coniston Water Boating Centre and Derwent Water at Crow Park have all been rated poor for water Environment Agency confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in the Lakeside YMCA bathing area."As a result, the current advice is to avoid swimming in this part of the lake," a spokesperson said."Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring environmental phenomenon. It is not unique to Windermere and can appear in many water bodies across the UK, particularly during warm, calm, and dry conditions." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
River Hamble visitors warned over toxic blue-green algae
Visitors are being advised to avoid contact with the water in a river over fears it could contain toxic blue-green bacteria, which can be harmful to humans, has been reported along the River Hamble in Hampshire, Eastleigh Borough Council said. The Environment Agency (EA) has warned that the algae can be fatal to animals if ingested, and people are being urged not to allow their dogs to enter the tends to appear after warm weather and can cause skin irritation, rashes, blisters, eye irritation, nausea and diarrhoea According to the EA areas where there is a bloom will have water that appears less clear and may look green, blue-green or greenish-brown. Scums can form during calm weather when several bloom forming species rise to the surface, which can look like paint, mousse or small advises people to contact the EA if they suspect an area to have blue-green algae. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
N.S. reminds residents to be cautious of blue-green algae in freshwater lakes
The Nova Scotia government is reminding residents to be cautious of blue-green algae. Also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae is found in freshwater lakes. The government says the plant-like substance is more likely to grow in warm weather. 'Algae blooms can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup or sometimes like a thick scum on the surface,' reads a news release from the province. 'Algae mats can be found in shallow areas of lakes and rivers and along the shoreline; they often look like clumps of vegetation and may appear black, brown or dark green in the water.' The province says testing is unreliable in large bodies of water because blue-green algae can move around, reform and recur. The government warns mats may detach from the bottom and wash up on the shoreline, where they look grey and have a foul odour that may attract dogs. Ingesting blue-green algae can be fatal for pets. When people come in contact with contaminated water it can cause itchy eyes and skin. The province says symptoms worsen if the water is swallowed or breathed in, which can lead to headaches, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. 'Climate change is causing more blue-green algae in our lakes and other freshwater bodies. As summer approaches, we are reminding Nova Scotians about the tools available to help them recognize and prevent exposure so they can enjoy our lakes and other freshwater safely,' said Timothy Halman, minister of Environment and Climate Change, in the release. To reduce your risk, the province recommends: scanning the water and shoreline for blue-green algae before going into fresh water or letting children and pets play in it avoiding contact with blooms not drinking fresh water when swimming or enjoying lakes calling a veterinarian if a pet comes into contact with a bloom with a bloom reporting sightings by calling 1-877-936-8476 For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
KDHE issues blue-green algae advisory for three Kansas lakes
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a public health advisory for three Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae: Warning Frazier Lake – Grant County Lake Shawnee – Shawnee County Watch Council Grove City Lake – Morris County A harmful algae bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum, or paint floating on the water. It can appear blue, bright green, brown, or even red. Blooms can develop rapidly. Depending on the type of exposure, coming into contact with a HAB can cause rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headaches. Toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols, and skin contact. Avoid contact and keep pets away. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a HAB or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die. Suspected HAB-related health incidents should be reported as soon as possible at When KDHE receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes, it investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, the KDHE will then issue a status level of warning, watch, or hazard. A hazard status indicates that an HAB is present and that extreme conditions exist. When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public. In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status. A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the body of water should be avoided. When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful. Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock. Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans. Water contact should be avoided. Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded. Do not allow pets to eat dried algae. If lake water contacts the skin, wash it with clean water as soon as possible. Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation. A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a HAB is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Water may be unsafe for humans/animals. Avoid areas of algae accumulation, and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms. Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact. Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portions only. Advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds. The water recreation season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, as do the HAB response program's active operations. You can visit the KDHE website year-round to check the current advisory status for bodies of water in Kansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Castlewellan: Triathlon entries postponed over blue-green algae in lake
Blue-green algae could disrupt an annual triathlon for the second consecutive year, the director of the race has Campbell said entries for the 2025 Mourne Sprint Triathlon in Castlewellan Forest Park in County Down had been postponed over fears the water quality posed a safety hazard for 2024 race had to be adapted at the last minute to a run-bike-run duathlon due to similar health to high levels of any blue-green algae blooms - whether by contact with water blooms, swallowing that water or inhaling airborne droplets - can cause health effects in people and animals. 'I'm not confident' Race director Chris Campbell said significant blue-green algal blooms had appeared in Castlewellan lake over the past few said it seemed unlikely the water quality would be up to standard by the day of the race on 30 August."I'm not confident it will go ahead at all this year," he said."We would need a lot of rain to clear it."Newry Mourne and Down District Council said it was continuing to monitor the lake.A spokesperson said people should not enter the water, drink the water, catch or eat fish from the lake and should keep animals away from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has been asked for comment. Olympian Triathlon Belfast said it would re-examine the situation on 1 June and make a final decision on whether to let the race go ahead or to call it Campbell said it was very disappointing that the group seemed to be in the same position for a second year 2024 the swimming leg was cancelled after it was confirmed blue-green algae was present in Castlewellan Campbell said they were told "at the very last minute", by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, that blue-green algae meant it would not be safe to enter the group had already received 400 entries for the race so decided to adapt the event rather than cancel it. Stephen Chisholm from Belfast was due to take part in the 2024 race but decided not to compete in the duathlon."Taking the swim element out for me was removing a huge part of the challenge", he said."Triathlon is unique in that it's three sports one after the other and it's not often that someone can do all three back to back or even in a single day."He said it was disappointing to miss out on the event."This was to be my final official race of the year and one last chance to see the results of my training throughout the year", he said."I love open water swimming and Castlewellan is a stunningly beautiful location so it was a real shame to miss this."He said he planned his own Olympic distance triathlon on the day of the race instead, with the swimming leg at Helen's Bay near Crawfordsburn. Organisers Olympian Triathlon Belfast said the blue-green algae appeared to be worse in recent weeks than it was in added that the advisory notice placed at the water's edge by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council instructing people not to bathe in the lake had remained in place since last August."With warm weather and sunshine forecast, it's likely more and more algae will bloom," Mr Campbell said."Many people ignore the council's notice and continue to paddleboard and fish in the lake."But as event organisers we can't take that risk. We can't have 400 swimmers and 200 of them getting sick." Olympian Triathlon Belfast said it was looking into alternative venues for the event."The fear is, blue-green algae could be a problem at any bathing site in Northern Ireland," Mr Campbell said."It doesn't seem to us that much is being done about this." Blue-green algae in Northern Ireland Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, is a collection of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and certain conditions, blue-green algae can become abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich surface waters that receive a lot of this occurs, the algae can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating mats or scums on the water's surface.
