Blue-green algae spotted at GRCA properties
A potentially dangerous type of bacteria has been seen at several Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) properties.
According to a release from the GRCA on Friday, blue-green algae was spotted at Belwood Lake, Conestogo Lake, Guelph Lake and Woolwich reservoirs.
Signs have been put up warning the public of the possible dangers.
Blue-green algae blooms are types of bacteria known as cyanobacteria. They are microscopic plant-like organism that occur naturally in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and other bodies of water.
The algae thrives in water that is shallow, slow moving and warm.
When the algal blooms first start to grow the water may have a noticeable green or brown scum along the surface and the water may look green or like bluish-green pea soup.
Once the blooms are fully formed, they may look like spilled paint along the shoreline.
The algae often smells like fresh cut grass at first, while older blooms may give off an odour like rotting garbage.
Some types of blue-green algae produce cyanotoxins, which can be harmful to humans and animals.
Symptoms may include itchy, irritated eyes and skin from direct contact (such as swimming) and flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting if large quantities of the toxins are swallowed.
The GRCA urges residents to keep children and pets away from the algae blooms and avoid all contact with the substance. Fish from the impacted bodies of water should not be eaten and the water should not be used for any purpose, including drinking.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau noncommittal on expanding rebate beyond 'working Canadians'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Latest updates: Tracking RSV, influenza, COVID-19 in Canada
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.
Weekend weather: Parts of Canada could see up to 50 centimetres of snow, wind chills of -40
Winter is less than a month away, but parts of Canada are already projected to see winter-like weather.
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
Federal government posts $13B deficit in first half of the fiscal year
The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $13 billion between April and September.
Armed men in speedboats make off with women and children when a migrants' dinghy deflates off Libya
Armed men in two speedboats took off with women and children after a rubber dinghy carrying some 112 migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea started deflating off Libya's coast, a humanitarian aid group said Friday.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'