August 01, 2023

Citizens concerned over Lake Eugenia water quality

Photo: Municipality of Grey Highlands

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Lab results have confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lake Eugenia.

Blue-green algae blooms have been known to occur in this lake during the summer months. Although the blooms (also called cyanobacteria) occur naturally in surface waters like lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, toxins in the algae can make people sick and be fatal for pets if ingested.

The Municipality of Grey Highlands has advised that when algae blooms are present or suspected:

• Do not swim in the water
• Do not let pets go into or drink the water
• Do not let children play in or near the water
• Be cautious about eating fish from the lake. Do not eat the liver, kidneys, or other organs of fish caught in the water body.
• Do not drink untreated water or use it for cooking. Boiling the water may increase toxins.

Algae blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats. Dense blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, turquoise, or like green pea soup. Fresh blooms may smell like freshly mown grass, while older blooms can smell like rotting garbage.

According to the Friends of Lake Eugenia website, this photo was taken at the Lake Eugenia shoreline on July 25, 2023 and shows the presence of blue-green algae bloom. Photo: Friends of Lake Eugenia

Blooms typically occur during late summer or early fall but can occur anytime.

Although ingestion is the main concern, people or pets can also be exposed to the toxins in blue-green algae through inhalation or skin contact.

"Swimming at Eugenia Lake is prohibited and pets should also be prohibited as drinking the water could cause sickness," said Grey Highlands Community Relations Coordinator for Economic and Community Development Rob Delduca.

Not a new problem for waterways in Ontario, blue-green algae blooms have clouded other lakes in the area as well. In 2019, the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority noted the presence of cyanobacteria in Wilder Lake near Durham, presenting the results of their study showing increased levels of the organisms to a concerned audience in Southgate.

Local Grey Highlands resident Doug Hill has been sounding the alarm about this menacing development for a few years. In a delegation at the July 19 meeting of Grey Highlands Council, Hill and the Friends of Lake Eugenia (FLE) group described progress on an ongoing sampling program to better identify the mechanisms specific to Lake Eugenia, that promote the uptake of phosphorous by toxic blue-green algae.

The final report of the first of two planned studies completed in 2022, showed that a combination of increased global temperatures and phosphorous resident in the lake are the primary causes of the increased growth of these microscopic, plant-like organisms.

High concentrations of phosphorous levels in lakes and streams are often blamed on poor agricultural practices, runoff from urban areas and lawns, leaking septic systems or discharges from sewage treatment plants.

In his delegation to Council, Hill asked for support and municipal participation in enhancing Lake Eugenia water quality. His request touched on a number of ways in which the municipality could help:

• Partner with the FLE going forward and help direct efforts
• Interact with other governmental agencies on their behalf to help promote the work of FLE
• Use the information collected to inform lake management policies
• Consider quick-fixes, such as aerating the public beach area to suppress e-coli outbreaks
• Begin a review of septic system functionality controls near the lake

In his presentation, Hill also asked for a $30,000 loan to complete phase two of the FLE planned studies. In response to his requests, Council directed staff to report back in a timely fashion on the contents of the delegation but Doug Hill is skeptical that Council will take action. Hill said he is frustrated that local governments are seemingly disinterested in declining lake water quality. He laments that cottagers around the lake provide the municipality with approximately $2 million dollars in property tax revenue and that the current situation threatens to potentially harm those values. "They're happy to take your money but don't want to bear any responsibility," he exclaimed.

According to Hill, the FLE has an immediate need for funding to complete the study for the months of September and October. More money is also required to analyze the data collected. To reach their goal, the group is also looking for donations both privately and through their current GoFundMe campaign.

 

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