The Grey Bruce Health Unit has issued a ” Do Not Use Water Advisory ” for residents who use water directly from Irish Lake in Grey Highlands and West Grey.
The advisory was issued this afternoon and covers anyone who uses the lake as their direct drinking water source.
Residents are being contacted by the Municipalities and are being provided with information.
Those who are on their own separate well supply are not affected.
The advisory is in response to the presence of blue green algae (cynobacteria) within the lake.
Cynobacteria may contain algae species with the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to human health and to the health of animals.
The Health unit says residents using Irish Lake water should:
Not drink, brush teeth with, bathe in, shower in or swim in the water
Not wash clothes or wash dishes
Not let pets drink or bathe in the water
Do not boil the water as boiling water may release more toxins in the water.
Do not eat fish caught in the lake
and Do not use water from the source until the algae and the toxin have been positively identified.
The Do Not Use Advisory will remain in effect until water samples taken by the Ministry of Environment indicate that the lake water is safe.
The Municipalities of Grey Highlands and West Grey will work closely with the Public Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment to lift the Do Not Use Advisory as soon as possible.