Residents around Peninsula Lake are being cautioned about a potential blue-green algae bloom.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says illness can result from exposure to blue-green algae, whether for drinking, swimming, bathing, cooking, washing or through eating fish caught from the lake. Affected residents are being asked not to use the water for drinking or food preparation, including breastmilk substitute (infant formula).
Swimming and other water sport activities should also be avoided in areas where algae is visible.
The bloom has not been confirmed by testing. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has collected water samples that are currently being analyzed. Because wind and water currents can change the location of algae blooms, the caution is being issued around the entire lake.
Blue-green algae are capable of producing toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. Boiling the water will not destroy the toxins, and home treatment systems should not be relied on.
Blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint.
Symptoms from consuming toxins from a blue-green algae bloom can include headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and can be more serious if water is swallowed in large quantities.
To learn more about blue-green algae visit the health unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, or call Health Connection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
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Three Mile Lake had a similar algae bloom years back when farm land chemicals were seeping into the lake coupled by the township itself draining a nearby swamp into the lake. The lake association quickly sprung into action enforcing more stringent regulations above and beyond the township until the bloom was reversed and not repeated. Their unique situation was that the lake is very shallow and a reoccurracne would not be uncommon.
If our “Health” Unit verifies this blue-green algae it will not be good for property values. How does toxic water factor in arriving at property assessment values? Where does the water come from for our Huntsville water supply? I put “Health” in italics as this same “Health” unit supported for years the direct contamination of our water supply by the addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid under the guise that it was good for our teeth. Our Councillors only agreed to stop this activity after they realized councillors North-America wide would be held personally liable for health damages resulting from this practice. There are numerous lawsuits currently across the globe against the practice of “fluoridation”. I had sneaky, clandestine attacks formed against me by a senior member of our “Health” unit five -six years ago when I (and several other concerned Muskokans) was speaking about fluoridation at our Muskoka council. It will be interesting to see what transpires here. A long-term (60yr) Huntsville resident told me about a day he spent at Fairy Lake a few years ago; where he witnessed a similar algae bloom. He mentioned this to a member of our council, and was told to shut up about it. This will be an interesting story to follow.