The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has advised the Sudbury and District Health Unit that test results of water samples taken from the Main Beach area of Lake Ramsey are positive for blue-green algae and its toxins.
However, water samples taken from the David Street Water Treatment Plant have not shown any signs of blue-green algae or its toxins, stated a press release from the health unit.
The plant does not draw water from the area where the blue-green algae is present.
“Test results indicate that blue-green algae is not impacting water from the David Street facility,” Wendi Mannerow, water/wastewater engineer with the City of Greater Sudbury, said in the press release.
“The David Street Water Treatment Plant is the most modern of our municipal water treatment plants,” she added.
The city has increased its testing and will continue to take daily samples from the municipal drinking water supply at the David Street Water Treatment Plant as a precaution.
“The Ministry of the Environment has told us that the David Street Water Treatment Plant has the necessary technology to provide an effective barrier to all algae and will reduce the levels of algae toxins found in raw water,” Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury & District Medical Officer of Health, said in the press release.
Amphitheatre Beach, Canoe Club Beach, Main Beach, and New Beach remain closed until further notice. The health unit closed the beaches Aug. 31 as a precaution.
Blue-green algae blooms have also been observed in the Lake Point Court area of the lake.
Residents in the immediate area of the algae findings who draw their water from the lake on private systems are being informed of the presence of the blooms.
Health unit staff are visiting the homes to ensure that they are aware of the precautionary measures they should take to protect their health when blue-green algae blooms are visible:
-Avoid using the lake water for drinking, bathing, or showering, and do not let children or pets drink or swim in the lake water.
-Residents should not boil the water because boiling the water may release more toxins into the water.
-Residents should avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.
-Residents should exercise caution with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms occur. Residents should not eat the liver, kidneys, or other organs of fish caught in the water.
Because blue-green algae blooms are not anchored, they may move from one part of the lake to another through wind and water action.
The health unit is asking all Lake Ramsey residents to watch out for blooms in their area.
For more information about blue-green algae, phone the health unit at 705-522-9200, ext. 398.
