NHS Tayside issues alert following suspension last week of sports at Clatto Country Park
Warnings of potentially hazardous algae in waterways
Published:
NHS Tayside has issued a warning over blooms of potentially hazardous blue-green algae in the region’s waterways.
The move follows the suspension last week of watersports at Clatto Country Park, near Dundee.
Regular water monitoring by Dundee City Council at the park’s former reservoir showed high levels of algae, tiny organisms which occur naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and the sea.
They are a common seasonal occurrence and waters which have been affected by agricultural, domestic or industrial discharges are more at risk.
In still waters the algae can multiply during the summer months and discolour the water which then appears green, blue-green or greenish brown, and they occasionally clump together to form a scum on the water’s surface.
At the shoreline, algal crusts may appear brown to almost black in colour.
Humans and animals can suffer as a result of direct contact with water affected by blue-green algae and NHS Tayside is advising the public, especially those who enjoy water sports, anglers and dog owners, to be alert to the blooms as temperatures rise.
Complaints include skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea and joint pains. “We routinely monitor levels of blue-green algae over the warmer months because of the potential health risk to people and to animals,” said Dr Julie Cavanagh, the health board’s consultant in public health medicine.
“The risk to animals such as dogs is significant over the summer months as they tend to drink more water in the heat and may eat shoreline algal crusts, so dog owners should keep an eye on their pets, especially if they live, or are walking, near water which could be affected.”
Dr Cavanagh said all public drinking water supplies are treated to prevent any harmful effects.
Anyone who finds a loch, pond or river which they suspect is affected by blue-green algae and which is not displaying a warning sign, should contact their local environmental health service.
