Hasting Lake under blue-green algae warning: AHS

According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have been detected in Hastings Lake in Strathcona County.

The naturally occurring bacteria may appear as foam, grass clippings, lint or clumps on the surface of the water and often smell musty or grassy.

The color can be blue-green, green-brown, brown and/or pink-red.

Contact with or ingestion of water containing blue-green algae may cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

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AHS said anyone using Hastings Lake should avoid areas where the bacteria is present. Pets should be kept out of the water and not fed fish scraps from the lake.

People should also consider limiting the amount of whole fish or fish scraps they consume from waters where the bacteria is present.

Even with the warning in effect, AHS says Hastings Lake is safe to use as there are no blue-green algae blooms.

“As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or use untreated water directly from recreational waters, including Hastings Lake, for cooking,” AHS said in a press release.

“Boiling this water does not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria.”

If you suspect you have cyanobacteria, call Health Link at 811 for more information.

Hastings Lake is located approximately 47 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.