The Bell Park Amphitheatre Beach, Canoe Club Beach, Main Beach and New Beach are closed due to a possible blue-green algae bloom.
The Sudbury and District Health Unit is working with the Ministry of the Environment to take water samples and confirm the presence of the toxic algae.
The David Street Water Treatment Plant does not draw water from the area where the blue-green algae bloom appears to be taking place, according to a press release from the Health Unit.
"The Ministry of the Environment tells us that the David Street Water Treatment Plant has the necessary technology to provide an effective barrier to all algae and will reduce the levels of algae toxins found in raw water," Dr. Penny Sutcliff, the health unit's medical officer of health, stated in the press release.
Wendi Mannerow, a water/wastewater engineer with the city of Greater Sudbury, confirmed the plant is capable of filtering out the toxins, noting the plant is the most modern of water treatment plants found in the city.
The health unit cautions people to avoid using water where algae blooms are visible. Water should not be used for drinking, bathing, showering, nor should children or pets be able to swim or drink in lake water showing blooms.
Boiling water with algae blooms is ineffective and may cause the algae to release more toxins into the water. Food cooked with water where blooms are present may absorb toxins during cooking.
Fish caught in areas where blue-green algae is present may have toxin buildup in liver, kidneys, and other organs.
For more information, phone the health unit at 705-522-9200 ext. 398, or visit www.sdhu.com or www.ene.gov.on.ca.
