The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is warning residents about the risks associated with blue-green algae.
The health unit says warmer water temperatures can bring algae blooms and you’re reminded to take precautions.
The RCDHU says there is a risk that algae can produce toxins that can irritate the skin and if swallowed, can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
At high enough levels, toxins may cause liver and nervous system damage.
If algae blooms are visible:
- Avoid using the water for drinking, bathing, or showering.
- Do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water.
- Residents should not boil the water. Boiling the water may release toxins into the water.
- Residents should avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins.
- Exercise caution with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms occur. Residents should not eat the liver, kidneys, and other organs of fish caught in the water with a blue-green algae.
- Do not treat the water with a disinfectant like bleach. This may break open algae cells and release toxins.
- Residents should not rely on water jug filtration systems (i.e., Brita filters) as they do not remove toxins that may be in the water.
- People who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply should consider an alternate, protected source of water.
If you see an algae bloom, report it to the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks pollution hotline at 1-866-663-8477.