Blue-green algae advisory for Pigeon Lake

A cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) bloom and/or toxins have been identified in the waters of Pigeon Lake, according to Alberta Health Services.

Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors, are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacterial blooms are visible.
• Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms in the water and washed up on shore. Wash with clean tap water as soon as possible if contact occurs.
• Do not drink or cook with water from this lake.
• Do not eat whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake as fish may store toxins in their liver. Fish fillets contain less toxins and are safer to eat.
• Keep pets away from the water. Do not allow pets to swim in areas where cyanobacterial blooms are visible or to contact blooms in the water or on the shore.
• Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any body of water, including Pigeon Lake, at any time. Boiling of this water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.