Shetland Islands Council’s Environmental Health team has received notification from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that the Loch of Cliff in Unst contains blue-green algae.
Warning signs shall be erected next to the loch warning that contact with algal scum should be avoided and for animals not to drink or enter the water. Adjoining landowners have been advised of the situation, as have NHS Shetland and Shetland Angling Association.
Parents with young children and dog owners are advised to be cautious around any bodies of fresh water which may present a toxic risk if blue-green algae is present.
Blue-green algae exist in fresh waters and can collect to form ‘blooms’ looking like blue-green paint, in the water or on the shore line. Blue-green algae can be toxic and may give rise to adverse medical effects, include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, and fever and pains in muscles and joints. Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock and dogs.
The behaviour of algae is erratic and the level of its toxicity can fluctuate; it can appear one day, be dispersed by the wind and mixing and re-accumulate at any time. The treatment of water supplies removes blue-green algae and additional treatment may be applied to destroy or remove toxins should they arise. The actions currently taken are precautionary.
If anyone suspects Blue Green Algae, please submit a notification via the ‘Bloomin’ Algae’ App, available to download for free.
For further information, please contact Environmental Health on 01595 745250.