Rogers Cove and Beavermead Beaches To Remain Closed After Peterborough Public Health Confirms Presence of Blue-Green Algae

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Rogers Cove and Beavermead beaches are remaining closed after Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in the waters as reported on Monday afternoon.

File photo.

The closure is to protect the health and safety of the public and pets according to PPH.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) sampled the beach at Rogers Cove after the first reports of suspected blue-green algae at both Rogers Cove and Beavermead beaches on July 14. Last Friday, the MECP confirmed its presence at Rogers Cove.

“We’ve received confirmation that the algae observed at local beaches on July 14 is a harmful blue-green algae bloom,” said Julie Ingram, PPH manager of environmental health. “Elevated levels of toxins associated with blue-green algae have been detected and the beaches will remain temporarily closed.”

The MECP confirmed this sample had a total microcystin toxin amount of 169 µg/L, exceeding Health Canada’s recreational water limit of 10 µg/L on Monday. Additional samples are being collected from both beaches Monday with results anticipated by the end of this week as stated by the PPH.

The algae pose no immediate risk to Peterborough or Lakefield’s municipal drinking water supplies according to the PPH. Exposure to toxins such as drinking, swimming and bathing can cause illness and discomfort. Common symptoms include itchy, irritated eyes and skin, rash, headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Pets and farm animals that consume contaminated water may experience sickness or death. The risk to humans is primarily from drinking water that has been contaminated with toxins from a dense harmful algae bloom. Long-term consumption containing high levels of cyanobacterial toxins may cause neurological or liver problems.  

Residents downstream of Little Lake are encouraged by the PPH to monitor water for blue-green algae. Dense blooms can make the water look like a bluish-green pea soup or a shiny paint slick. Fresh blooms often smell like fresh-cut grass while older blooms can have a strong septic- or garbage-like odour. To report suspected blue-green algae bloom, contact the MECP Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.  

If algae blooms are visible:  

  • Do not use the water for drinking, food preparation, bathing, showering or swimming use. 

  • Do not allow children, pets, or livestock to swim in or drink the water. 

  • If skin contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the algae. 

  • Do not boil the water. Boiling will not remove the toxins and may release more of the toxin into the water. 

  • Residents should avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.

  • Fishing is generally considered safe and there is a low risk to human health from eating fish caught during a peak blue-green algal bloom condition. 

  • Be aware that home treatment systems for water may not remove toxins and may become clogged. 

  • Do not treat the water with a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach. This action may break open algal cells and release toxins into the water.

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Peterborough Public Health Warns of Potential Blue-Green Algae at Beavermead and Rogers Cove Public Beaches

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Peterborough Public Health is advising residents that two beaches in the City of Peterborough, Beavermead Park Beach (2011 Ashburnham Dr.) and Rogers Cove Beach, (131 Maria St.) will be closed until further notice due to the observation of possible harmful blue-green algae blooms.

file photo.

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria, called cyanobacteria, that are known for rapidly reproducing and collecting to form large, highly visible blooms throughout the water column, on the surface of water as a scum, or on the lake bottom as a mat. Some species of cyanobacteria can also release poisons, called cyanobacterial toxins, when the cells that make up the bloom rupture or die.

While the blooms have not yet been confirmed as harmful, Peterborough Public Health has temporarily closed the beaches for swimming as a precaution while awaiting further testing.

“On Friday, our staff observed the suspect harmful algal blooms while preparing to collect routine beach water samples,” said Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health for Peterborough Public Health. “We immediately notified the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Spills Action Centre and have received confirmation that the MECP will sample the blooms today. In addition, we have notified the City of Peterborough who are supporting the beach closures,” said Ingram.

Many forms of blue-green algae are harmless, but some types produce toxins which can be hazardous for both people and animals. Exposure to toxins through activities like drinking, swimming and bathing can cause various symptoms, though some individuals may have no reaction.

Pets should not be allowed to enter water with suspect or confirmed harmful algae blooms as they may consume large amounts of contaminated water, resulting in sickness or death. The risk to humans is primarily from drinking water that has been contaminated with toxins from a dense harmful algae bloom. Long-term consumption of water containing high levels of cyanobacterial toxins may cause neurological or liver problems.

Currently, there is no known risk to the City of Peterborough’s municipal drinking water supply.

If algae blooms are visible:

  • Do not use the water for drinking, food preparation, bathing, showering, or swimming use.

  • Do not allow children, pets, or livestock to swim in the water or drink the water.

  • If skin contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the algae.

  • Do not boil the water. Boiling will not remove the toxins and may release more of the toxin into the water.

  • Residents should avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking.

  • Home treatment systems for water may not remove toxins and may become clogged, thereby failing to remove
    the risk.

  • Do not treat the water with a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach. This action may break open algal cells and
    release toxins into the water.

To report a suspect blue-green algae bloom, residents are advised to contact MECP Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

For more information on blue-green algae, and precautions to be taken before swimming in or consuming water where there has been an algae bloom, visit Peterborough Public Health’s Blue-Green Algae website.

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“Darkness To Light” Invites Sunrise Watching For Anyone Impacted By Suicide and Overdose

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Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting the second annual ‘Darkness To Light Winter Solstice Gathering’ that invites those impacted by suicide and overdose to Rogers Cove to watch the sunrise on Dec. 21, announced Thursday.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

GPHSF encourages those attending to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and join the moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” says Julie Brown, last year’s host.

Brown is returning this year to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The rain or shine event is free of charge, though donations to support suicide bereavement work through Hospice Peterborough can be made through GPHSF’s website.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement,” says Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “After feedback about how impactful last year’s event was, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community.”

Register online here.

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Peterborough Photowalk Comes Together Through Twitter

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Segment starts at 2:10 mark.  The photowalk starts at 10:00 a.m. today at Rogers Cove.

[chextvDOTcom]

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