A provincial health authority is warning users of a reservoir 125 kilometres northwest of Edmonton about a blue-green algal bloom. Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued the warning on Friday for the Paddle River Reservoir in Lac Ste. Anne County. It advises nearby residents and visitors to not swim or wade where blooms are visible, not drink or cook with water from the reservoir, and not eat whole fish or fish trimmings from it. AHS also advises people to keep pets away from the water and to not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from the reservoir to them. Cyanobacterial, or blue-green, algal blooms occur naturally and become more common during warm weather. They range in colour – blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, pink and red or combinations of them – can look like scum, grass clippings, paint or pea soup; and usually smell musty or grassy. People who come into contact with such a bloom can experience symptoms such as skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and diarrhea. Weather and wind can cause blooms to move around a body of water such as a reservoir or lake. Parts of the reservoir where blooms are not visible are safe for use, AHS says.
