ST. PAUL - A blue-green algae advisory has been put in place for Lower Therien Lake, located southwest of St. Paul.
Due to cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) being noted, residents living near the shores of the lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take precautions, which includes avoiding all contact with the blue-green algae blooms, according to Alberta Health Servics (AHS).
It is not recommended that people or pets swim or wade in areas where the algae is visible. Also, do not feed whole fish trimmings from the lake to pets.
AHS also recommends people do not use water contaminated with blue-green algae to water any edible plants.
"This is particularly important for plants with edible parts exposed to the ground surface," says AHS.
"As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Lower Therien Lake, at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria," according to AHS. "An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock, while this advisory is active."
Cyanobacteria is naturally occurring, and becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. It appears like scum, grass clippings, fuzz, or globs on the surface of the water. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red.
"People who come in contact with visible cyanobacteria or who ingest water containing cyanobacteria may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days," according to AHS.
Symptoms in children can be more pronounced and exposure to the bacteria may be fatal for pets.
"Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. As such, this advisory will remain in effect for Lower Therien Lake, until further notice," according to AHS.
Areas of the lake where the algae is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes.
