Ramsey Lake drinking water OK, despite blue-green algae threat

A possible blue-green algae bloom in Ramsey Lake isn't a concern for drinking water, Greater Sudbury officials say.

The water treatment plant on David Street pulls water from the lake and supplies about 40 per cent of the city with drinking water. But the city’s director of water and wastewater, Nick Benkovich, said the plant can handle any potential blue green toxins.

“Everything is always a concern to us in water treatment,” he said.

“We are always very cautious. But at the levels we are seeing now, we are very confident our water treatment program is effective.”

Benkovich said staff follows special protocols for chlorine and filtration when there is a blue green algae threat.

“Chlorine is effective in destroying the toxins and so we have a standard operating procedures for circumstances where blue green algae toxins could come into the plant.”

Extra samples are also taken and tested to ensure water is safe.

The Sudbury and District Health unit says testing to determine if the algae bloom is producing toxins should be complete later this week.

The algae toxins can irritate a person's skin and, if ingested, and cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Meanwhile, the main beach at Bell Park remains empty, as signs indicate blue green algae may be present.

For those hoping to take a swim, it’s bad news.

“We actually went down to the beach and they turned us away unfortunately,” a prospective swimmer told CBC News.

“It's better to be informed than to not be, to let us go and end up with a skin rash or something.”

The park is a key recreation space for the city.