Blue-green algae confirmed at Binbrook Conservation Area beach

HAMILTON, ON – City of Hamilton Public Health Services has confirmed the presence of toxin-producing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at the Binbrook Conservation Area beach.

The Niagara Conservation Authority will be posting the beach as “closed” on-site including all water recreational activities. The closure will be in effect until the blue-green algae subsides. Hamilton Public Health Services will continue to monitor, gather water samples, and provide updates at hamilton.ca/beaches.

Contact with blue-green algae should be avoided due to the potential health risks associated with it. Residents and visitors are advised to:

• Avoid all contact with the water along the shoreline of Binbrook Conservation Area beach, including while launching or trailering watercraft.
• If you do come in contact with the water, wash yourself off as soon as possible with clean water
• Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.

Health Effects

Adverse health effects are mainly caused by drinking the water that is contaminated with blue-green algae toxins. People who come into contact with visible blue-green algae or ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Anyone who has recently been in direct contact with the waters at Binbrook Conservation Area beach and is experiencing headaches, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting is advised to contact their primary care provider (family physician, nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic).

Quick Facts

• Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) forms in shallow, warm, slow-moving or still waters.
• Temperature fluctuations (i.e. increased water temperature), high nutrient loads, water mixing, slow-moving or still waters, provide the ideal environment for the proliferation of naturally occurring blue-green algae.
• Algae/vegetation in the water can give off an offensive odour as it dies and decays. This may be more prominent along the shoreline and in the various “nooks and crannies” along the shoreline (i.e. docks/boat slips).
• Locally, algae blooms have been observed until late November, early December.
• The safety of Hamilton’s drinking water is not affected by the confirmation of blue-green algae at Binbrook Conservation Area beach.