Niagara Region says they have taken ‘proactive steps’ after a small amount of blue-green algae in the local drinking water.
According to a news release, the region said it identified algae levels in the water at the DeCew Falls Water Treatment Plant this Friday.
“Microcystin, the neurotoxin released by blue-green algae, has not been detected during daily testing of the water leaving the Decew Falls Water Treatment Plant over the last few days. Therefore, there is no risk to human health at this time. The blue green algae is being removed to minimize the risk of it multiplying,” said Niagara Region in a statement.
“Over the past two weeks, very low levels of microcystin have been detected intermittently in all of Niagara’s water treatment plants. Fortunately, the concentrations of microcystin have all measured at less than two per cent of the amount permissible by the Ontario Drinking Water Standards. The water from all Region water treatment plants remains safe to drink,” the statement continues.
Blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria, can sometimes produce a toxin that is a risk to health. Blue-green algae occurs naturally in fresh water lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in late summer and early fall. Current warm weather has made blue-green algae more prevalent in many parts of North America, including in Lake Erie which indirectly feed Niagara’s water treatment plants.
For more information about the region’s work monitoring the drinking water, follow this link.
