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Local NewsThe lake is about 46 kilometres east of Edmonton in Strathcona County
Published Jul 27, 2024 • Last updated 4 days ago • 2 minute read
A blue-green algae advisory has been issued for Hastings Lake in Strathcona County, Alberta. Photo by Hastings Lake Lutheran Bible Camp /Supplied PhotoAlberta Health Services on Friday issued a cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, warning for Hastings Lake.
The lake is about 46 kilometres east of Edmonton in Strathcona County.
According to AHS, never drink or cook with untreated water from any lake, including Hastings Lake. Boiling does not get rid of the toxins created by the algae. Here are some additional precautions from AHS to take at Hastings Lake:
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Avoid all contact with algae blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible.Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake).Use an alternate source of drinking water for pets and livestock, while this advisory is active.Algae is naturally occurring and can become easier to see when conditions are calm. It looks like scum, grass clippings, fuzz, or globs on the surface of water, and can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red in colour and often smells musty or grassy.
Touching or ingesting contaminated water can lead to skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.
The symptoms, which normally appear within one to three hours of exposure, tend to last a day or two. The bacteria can cause a stronger reaction in children and can be fatal to pets.
“Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another,” AHS said in a Friday news release.
The advisory for Hastings Lake remains in effect until further notice. Areas of the lake where algae blooms are not visible can still be used for recreation.
Phone Health Link at 811 for more information about blue-green algae and its harmful effects, or visit the AHS website.
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