Published Aug 18, 2024 • Last updated Aug 19, 2024 • 1 minute readIn this 2015 NASA satellite image, a large algae bloom is shown in Lake St. Clair. Lakeshore’s Stoney Point is located near the bottom right corner of the lake. Photo by Image courtesy of NASA /Windsor StarResidents are being urged not to drink or use water for food preparation near a newly discovered algae bloom in Lake St.Clair. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit discovered the algae bloom, which exceeds acceptable limits, during routine sampling. No location was provided. The health unit is advising anyone who lives near the algae bloom to take safety precautions, including: THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Sign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentDo not drink or use the water for food preparation, including infant formula. Use an alternate source of safe drinking water, such as bottled water, for the duration of the bloom. Do not boil and drink water that may contain blue-green algae because toxins are not destroyed by boiling and boiling may increase toxins. Do not swim and avoid water sports where a bloom is present. Do not allow pets to drink lake water during a blue-green algae bloom as they may suffer serious health risks, including death. As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas, which could contaminate some sources of drinking water and beaches. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,” said Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in a release. The health unit says blue-green algae are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. As of Aug. 18, the only beach warning issued by the health unit is at Colchester Beach, which has high levels of bacteria. No beaches are closed. Article content
Blue-green algae bloom found in Lake St. Clair
