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By Alex Weber, Ottawa Citizen August 8, 2011
People who access the water in the lower Rideau Canal are being advised to avoid water that has blue-green slicks of algae in it, as it might be toxic.
Officials from the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health Office issued the warning on Friday after the Ministry of the Environment identified bluegreen algae slicks in the south end of Colonel By Lake.
The warning specifically applies to the Upper and Lower Brewer Mills Locks, Colonel By Lake, the Kingston Mills Locks and the Lower Cataraqui River.
The slicks have been sent to a lab for testing to determine whether or not they’re toxic, but in the meantime KFLA Public Health is warning people not to touch, drink or cook with the water.
Direct external contact with toxic blue-green algae can cause itchy, irritated eyes and skin and if swallowed can cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, according to the Ministry of the Environment’s website.
People who spot algae blooms are asked to contact the Ministry of the Environment Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060
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