Advisory for Otter Lake, Ontario

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Otter Lake

Type: Cyanobacteria Bloom  -  Inactive

Issued: 10/9/2016

Details:

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit advises that a bloom of blue-green algae was detected in our district in Otter Lake in Seguin Township. 

The Health Unit advises residents and visitors near this area to take the following precautions immediately:


Owners of private water systems should avoid using the water from the lake for drinking, cooking and bathing. 

Use another source of water for these purposes. 

NOTE: Boiling the water or using home water treatment devices will NOT destroy the toxins.

Avoid swimming and other water sport activities that could increase the risk of algae material and toxins contacting your skin or being swallowed.

Avoid using water from the lake for livestock or pets.

Some toxins produced by cyanobacteria accumulate in the tissues of fish and shellfish, 
particularly in the guts including the liver, kidney, etc. We do not know if eating fish exposed to the toxins is a concern. 

It may depend on how much you eat and how severe the cyanobacteria bloom is.