Fecal bacteria prompt warning from AHS

Leader staff

As if a blue-green algae warning for Calling Lake wasn’t bad enough.

The province is now advising people not to swim or even wade in the lake, due to “elevated levels of fecal bacteria.” Tiny critters that live in poop, in other words.

This was found in the water off the beach at Calling Lake Provincial Park.

Provincial health authorities made the announcement on Aug. 8. At the levels that showed up in testing, if you drink the water you could end up with “gastro-intestinal illness,” says the news release. Not only that, skin, ear and eye infections are possible, just from contact with the water.

“As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time.

“Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.”

Alberta Health Services says it will be keeping an eye on the water at this location.