Shetland Islands Council’s Environmental Health team has received notification that potentially toxic blue-green algae is present in the Sandy Loch, Lerwick.
Notices have been posted next to the loch warning that contact with algal scum should be avoided. Adjoining landowners, Shetland Anglers Association and NHS Shetland have been advised.
At this stage there is no adverse effect on water supplies as treatment of water supplies removes blue-green algae.
Blue-green algae exist in fresh waters and can be noticed when their concentrations increase to form "blooms" or scums, looking like blue-green paint, or when they collect on the shore line. Some blue-green algae may give rise to adverse medical effects - but not always. Effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints. Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock and dogs.
The behaviour of algae is erratic. 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 actions currently taken are precautionary.
For further information please contact Environmental Health on 01595 745250 or ehadmin@shetland.gov.uk.