Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae advisory for a lake located in Parkland County.
The advisory was issued Wednesday, after algae was found in the waters of Hasse Lake, located about an hour west of Edmonton.
As a result, AHS advises residents living near the lake, along with visitors, to take precautions including not drinking water from the lake – as boiling does not remove algae toxins from the water, to not swim or wade in the lake, or allow pets to do so, and to not come in contact with algae along the shoreline.
In addition, AHS said people might want to avoid eating fish from the lake.
The toxin is also present in the water whether or not an actual bloom is nearby, as weather and wind conditions can move the blooms around.
AHS said the algae produces a toxin that can cause serious illness to animals or people who drink or otherwise come in contact with it.
Anyone who comes in contact with contaminated water in any way may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea – the symptoms often appear within one and three hours, and clear up within one to two days.
The advisory will remain in place until further notice.
