If allowed, farm animals and pets may consume large quantities of heavily contaminated water, resulting in sickness or death. Long-term consumption of water containing high levels of cyanobacterial toxins may cause neurological or liver problems. Fortunately, there have been no human deaths attributed to drinking water containing cyanobacterial toxins, but the toxins may cause headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. The risk to humans is primarily from drinking water that has been contaminated with toxins from a dense algae bloom. To report a blue-green algae bloom, residents are advised to contact the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change at 1-80. These blooms are not only unsightly and smelly: some species of cyanobacteria can also release poisons, called cyanobacterial toxins, when the cells that make up the bloom rupture or die. “Just as we have all learned how to avoid poison ivy and sunburns, it’s important to know how to protect ourselves from blue-green algae so everyone can still safely enjoy the outdoors.”īlue-green algae are a type of bacteria, called cyanobacteria that are known for rapidly reproducing and collecting to form large, highly visible blooms throughout the water column, on the surface of water as a scum, or on the lake bottom as a mat. “Residents should visit our website or call us for information about what to look for before swimming or consuming water if they suspect a bloom in their area,” said Atul Jain, Manager of Environmental Health Programs at PPH. To date, no reports have been received of the presence or confirmation of blue-green algae this season. Peterborough Public Health (PPH), with the assistance of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, will follow up on blue-green algae blooms reported in lakes in Peterborough County and City area, and around Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. Peterborough Public Health is advising local residents to report and protect themselves from blue-green algae which may bloom on area lakes. J– Know the Risks and How to Protect Yourself Peterborough Public Health does not test beach water for these larvae, and therefore cannot post signage warning bathers of areas where Swimmer’s Itch may occur. For more information, visit and click on “My Home & Environment” under “Beach Testing”. Since these factors change (sometimes within a few days) the larvae responsible for Swimmer’s Itch will not always be present. Many factors must be present for Swimmer’s Itch to become a problem in water.
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