Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Kehewin Lake that will remain in effect for the remainder of the season.
“Even though you might not see the blue-green algae bloom, they do tend to move around and move up and down and the toxin does get everywhere,” said Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, Medical Officer for AHS North. “So we will leave this advisory up until the season comes to an end.”
Residents are advised not to drink the water, avoid all contact with the water and limit their consumption of fish from the lake.
According to AHS, blue-green algae produces a toxin that can cause a range of health effects in humans and animals that come in contact with it.
“The health effects can vary depending on how people come into contact with the water,” said Koliaska. “So if it's skin contact from splashing or swimming, it would be more skin irritation. If it was swallowing some water there certainly could be some gastrointestinal kinds of symptoms.”
The AHS in conjunction with Alberta Environment does a variety of monitoring and testing on the water in lakes throughout the province year round, said Koliaska.
“We know that some lakes are prone to getting blue-green algae more than others,” said Koliaska. “It is a combination of the warm waters that tend to happen this time of year, as well more calm waters. So there are certain lakes that provide the ideal environment for blue-green algae and we keep a close eye on those lakes at this time off year.”
Health Canada has said that the Kehewin Cree Nation's water treatment plant uses a conventional treatment process that follows the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and is an acceptable method for removing the blue-green algae.
“The Kehewin Cree Nation's water treatment plant is equipped to manage incidents of blue-green algae in the water it treats,” wrote Sylwia Krzyszton, Senior advisor of Media Relations with Health Canada, in an email to the Nouvelle. “Tests conducted to date have consistently determined that the level of ‘total microcystins' (indicator toxin for blue-green algae) are not detectable in raw and treated water samples from the Kehewin Cree Nation's water treatment plant.”
Koliaska added that if you happen to accidentally come in contact with the water you should rinse off the skin with clean water to limit chance of illness.
Possible symptoms of toxins from blue-green algae may include skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Anyone who suspects a problem related to blue-green algae can call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-4565.