Northern Health has issued a public health advisory for Bednesti/Berman, Nulki and West Lakes due to a potentially toxic algae bloom.
Northern Interior Environmental Health lead Neelam Hayer says the mild winter and warm summer weather has primed area lakes for algae blooms. “We were notified by residents who live near the Bednesti/Bernman Lake area who spotted this on the water and reported it.”
The naturally occurring blue-green cyanobacteria can appear like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.
Hayer says because of the looming long weekend, Northern Health wanted to get ahead of things and issue the advisory early. Blooms can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to clear up.
Anyone who spends time near these lakes should avoid contact with the algae. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible. Swimming for both people and animals should be avoided.
You can safely consume fish fillets from the lake but should limit your consumption of whole fish and trimmings as fish may store toxins in organs such as the brain, liver and intestines. Pets should do the same.
As always, the public should never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake at any time. Boiling lake water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae.
People who come in contact with blue-green algae, or who ingest water containing it may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are usually more pronounced.
Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. The advisory will remain in effect for until further notice.
If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae or if you require further information on health concerns, please call Environmental Health at 250-565-2150.
More info can be found here
**a previous headline used the word toxic, while in fact tests on the algae are still being processed