Advisory for Thames River, Ontario

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Thames River

Type: Cyanobacteria Bloom  -  Inactive

Issued: 8/30/2017

Details:

Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) staff noted a discolouration in the Thames River on Monday August 28 
and contacted the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) in London.

MOECC staff undertook sampling at several locations and advised on Tuesday that it was a cyanobacteria bloom (blue-green algae) in the Thames River.  

They confirmed that the samples taken contained the species responsible for shutting down drinking water intakes on Lake Erie.

The bacteria does not always produce the toxins associated with fish kills and other threats to animal and human health.  

LTVCA staff did not witness any fish die-offs when reviewing the river yesterday. 

However, people should take extra caution and avoid the river, especially children, pets and livestock.

Animals should be kept away from the water and not allowed to drink from the river.