Blue-Green Algae Advisory

The Municipality of Huron Shores is reminding residents and visitors to be aware that blue-green algae blooms are more common this time of year, particularly when water is warm, shallow, and slow-moving.

According to Algoma Public Health (APH), blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally found in fresh water. While they are often present in low numbers and barely visible, under the right conditions they can rapidly multiply and form a visible scum known as a bloom.

Although not all blooms are harmful, some types of blue-green algae produce toxins that can make people and animals sick if they are touched, swallowed, or inhaled. Symptoms may include headache, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, or throat.

Blue-green algae can occur in any lake, river, pond, or other body of water, so residents and visitors are encouraged to use caution whenever they are enjoying the outdoors. If you notice water that appears green, blue-green, turquoise, or has a paint-like scum on the surface, avoid contact and keep children and pets away.

If you observe a suspected blue-green algae bloom:

🚫 Do not swim, wade, or participate in recreational water activities.
💧 Do not drink the water or use it for food preparation.
🚿 Do not bathe or shower in the water.
🐾 Keep pets and livestock away from the water.
🎣 Do not eat the liver, kidneys, or other organs of fish caught in the affected water.

Algoma Public Health advises that boiling the water, adding bleach, or using most residential water treatment devices will not remove the toxins and may actually increase them.

For more information about blue-green algae blooms, including how to identify them, please visit the Algoma Public Health website.