Today (August 5th) the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) posted the Sturgeon Point Public Beach because of a suspected Blue-Green algae bloom. If you visit the Public Beach, you’ll notice a warning sign posted to the garbage bin. “Posting” means that using the lake water or swimming in the lake may pose a health risk. Although the Upper Wharf area has no sign announcing the posting, you should assume that the posting applies that location as well as any private waterfront properties here in Sturgeon Point.
The health warning applies to the entire eastern arm of the lake from Sturgeon Point to Bobcaygeon. Please advise you neighbours of the posting in case that they might be unaware.
According the The Haliburton-Kawarth-Pineridge-District (HKPD) Health Unit the current posting is a precautionary one. It has been posted due to reports of algae blooms in the area. However, please do not assume that the precautionary nature of the posting means that the water is “probably” safe. The Ministry will provide test results as they become available.
Blue-Green algae blooms are a natural occurrence that leaves a chemical toxin in the water. The toxin needs to dissipate before an effected area can be deemed to be safe again. This usually take just several days, but on some accasions it can take a few weeks. Note that the toxin cannot be filtered out of the water, nor does boiling the water eliminate it.
Here is a short excerpt from the HKPD Health Unit on the potential health impacts of lake water affected by a Blue-Green algae bloom:
“Drinking water with these toxins may result in headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Bathing or showering in water with blue-green algae can result in skin rashes, swollen lips, eye irritation and redness, ear ache and itchiness, sore throat, hay fever-like symptoms and asthma. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.”
You can read the entire information page at the following link:
http://www.hkpr.on.ca/news.asp?id=4458
SPA’s home page will post any updates to the status of the lake water’s quality, including any test results that might be published by the MOE.
If possible, can you send any new results to the email address attached. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Bob,
I will send you any results as they come in. I will also be posting updates here on the web site. Nothing new to report at the moment.
Victor