Blue-green algae advisories issued for local bodies of water

By Mario Prusina Times Editor

Health advisories have been issued for two Wheatland County water bodies after cyanobacterial, commonly known as blue-green algae, blooms and/or toxins were identified in the waters of Eagle Lake and Severn Dam Reservoir.

The advisory for Eagle Lake applies to the lake southeast of Strathmore, while the Severn Dam Reservoir advisory affects the reservoir near Standard. Both advisories remain in effect until further notice.

Residents and visitors are advised not to swim or wade in areas where blooms are visible and to avoid contact with blooms in the water or along the shoreline. Anyone who comes into contact with a bloom should wash with clean tap water as soon as possible.

Neither water body should be used as a source of drinking or cooking water. Boiling the water does not remove toxins produced by cyanobacteria. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while the advisories are in place.

People are also advised not to eat whole fish or fish trimmings from either water body, as toxins can accumulate in the liver. Fish fillets contain fewer toxins and are considered safer to eat.

Pets should be kept away from areas where blooms are visible, including blooms washed up on shore. Whole fish and fish trimmings from the affected waters should not be fed to pets, as exposure to cyanobacteria can be fatal to animals.

Cyanobacteria occur naturally, with large blooms becoming more common during warm weather. Blooms can appear blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, pink or red and may resemble scum, streaks, grass clippings, fuzz balls, paint or pea soup. They can also produce a musty or grassy smell.

Contact with a bloom or ingesting contaminated water can cause skin irritation, rashes, sore throat, red or sore eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms can appear within one to three hours and generally resolve within one to two days. Children can experience more pronounced symptoms.

Weather and wind can cause blooms to shift from one area of a lake or reservoir to another. However, areas where a bloom is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes while the advisories remain in place.

Residents with concerns about cyanobacteria or related health issues can contact Health Link at 811. More information is available online through Alberta Health Services (www.ahs.ca/bga).