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France G6linas, MPP Constituency Office Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre 5085 Hwy. 69 North, Unit 15
Hanmer,
ON
P3P 1P7
Dear Ms. G6linas:
Re: Blue-green Algae in Ella Lake Thank you for your letter dated March 21,2013. I am pleased to provide you with a response, and some background herein.
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March 27 ,2013
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The Sudbury & District Heaith Unit has been responding to reports of blue-green algae blooms for the last number of years. Since 2006 we have released 45 public notifications regarding 25 lakes. Reports of blue-green algae in area lakes go back more than 50 years.
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; Blue-green algae are some of the oldest life forms on earth, and are present nearly every lake or river worldwide. Blue-green algae are microscopic organisms but do become visible when they are in sufficient numbers and clump. Large groups of these clumps are known as blooms. These blooms are what are easily visible, and due to the quantity of blue-green algae present a potential risk.
The key risk for blue-green algae is the toxin they release. The Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines have a limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of mycotoxin allowable in drinking water. This number is based on long term ingestion of the toxin. The toxin levels required for immediate health effects from ingestion are much higher.' It should be noted that the toxin results for the sample taken from Ella Lake was well belowthe 15 ppb level. The Health Unit response is precautionary. We are unaware of any adverse health effects from blue-green algae in our jurisdiction. The precautionary response is aimed at permanent residents of the water body so as to avoid long term exposure through consumption as this is the population at highest risk. Our response process to confirmed blooms includes delivering information door to door in the vicinity of the bloom, and issuing a press release so the broader public is notified. The information is also posted on our website where we maintain a list of all confirmed blooms in our area. The list is available for review by any concerned citizen. We believe that our process is sufficient to address the low risk and transient nature of blue-green algae. The issue of blue-green algae has been well publicized over the last few years so as to create a general awareness in the public. Signage, such as was described in your letter, would be alarmist and unnecessarily stigmatize an area especially since the greatest potential risk is for residents of the water body, not , occasional users. The infrequent, short term exposure of casual users is unlikely to present a risk from blue-green algae. Of course, no one should ever be drinking from a lake or river without an appropriate treatment system. The consumption of raw surface water is a known health hazard.
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France G6linas, MPP March 27,2013 Page 2
As mentioned blue-green algae is ubiquitous in lakes and rivers. Therefore any lake or river can potentially have blue-green algae blooms. As such, if we were to sign one lake, we would need to sign allthe lakes and rivers within the Sudbury and District Health Unit jurisdiction and these signs would have to be permanent as blue-green algae blooms are not predictable. We feel such action is unnecessary, and extreme. We do have specific advisory signage for public beaches. These are only used when there is a blue-green algae bloom at a beach site and notifies users that if a bloom is present avoid swimming, drinking the water, and allowing pets in the water. lf no bloom is present, water may be used for regular recreational activities. lf you have any questions please contact myself or Burgess Hawkins, Manager, Environmental Health Division, a1705.522.9200, ext. 21 B.
Sincerely,
wPenny Sutcliffe, MD, MHSc, FRCPC Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
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Beaver Lake Sports and Cultural Club lnc.