Warning issued for water at Snyder's Flats after suspected blue-green algae bloom spotted

The Grand River Conservation Authority says suspected blue-green algae has been seen at Snyder's Flats in Bloomingdale, Ont.

It's the fourth local body of water that the conservation authority has issued a warning for in the past two weeks.

The authority previously warned blue-green algae has been seen at Belwood Lakein August, then on Sept. 13 said it was also spotted atConestogo Lake and Guelph Lake.

"Some varieties of blue-green algae can produce toxins that are harmful to both people and pets," the GRCA said in a release Tuesday.

People should keep themselves, children and pets away from the algae and should not use the water for drinking. As well, the GRCA says people should not eat fish from Snyder's Flats.

Signage has been posted notifying the public of the conditions and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and public health have been informed.

Cameron Irvine, supervisor of water quality atthe GRCA, told CBC News earlier this month that the bloomstypically occur in the late summer orearly fall and have been known to occur on an annual basis at the three reservoirs.

Irvine said the blooms "tend to look like a kind of thick pea soup or spilled paint on the surface of the water [and] the smell can vary. It can smell like fresh cut grass or rotting garbage."