Residents across Renfrew County are being advised to mind how and where they cool off, as an old adversary has returned to some local waterways.
The Renfrew County District Health Unit is on alert after reports of toxic blue-green algae found on water bodies within the district, telling people to avoid using the water for drinking, bathing, or showering.
Officials are also urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the algae bloom, such as
- Not allowing children, pets, or livestock to drink or swim in the water.
- Avoid boiling the water to prevent the release of additional toxins into the water.
- Avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.
- Using caution 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.
- Not treating the water with a disinfectant like bleach. This may break open algae cells and release toxins into the water.
- Not relying 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.
Anyone who discovers what they suspect to be blue-green algae blooms should report it to the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-268-6060 or online.
(written by Kasey Egan)