Blue-green algae confirmed at Muskrat Lake in Cobden

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says a sample from Muskrat Lake has confirmed the presence of a blue-green algae bloom.

The local health unit says blue-green algae blooms can irritate skin, cause diarrhea and vomiting if swallowed.

Blue-green algae has also been confirmed at Lake Dore this summer in Renfrew County.

The health unit advises people to be on the lookout for algae blooms. If you suspect a blue-green algae bloom, assume toxins are present and call the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

The following are precautions to take during a blue-green algae bloom:

• Avoid using the water for drinking, bathing, or showering and do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water.
• Do not boil the water because this may release more toxins into the water.
• Avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.
• Be careful when eating fish caught in water where blue‐green algae blooms occur. Do not eat the liver, kidneys, and other organs of fish caught in this water.
• Do not treat the water with a disinfectant like bleach. This may break open algae cells and release toxins into the water.
• Do 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 confirmed, people who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply should consider an alternate, protected source of water.

For more information see the Government of Ontario’s Blue-Green Algae page, or view the following blue-green algae fact sheets:

Blue-Green Algae Fact Sheet

Blue-Green Algae and Drinking Water Systems

Blue-Green Algae and Safe Drinking Water

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