Potentially harmful blue-green algae confirmed in Coniston Water

The public body took samples from Coniston Water on Sunday and today (Monday) sample analysis has confirmed the algae, called cyanobacteria.

Environment Agency advice says 'bloom' and 'scum' forming blue-green algae can produce toxins. Toxin producing blooms are called Harmful Algal Blooms, these toxins can kill wild animals, farm livestock and pets. In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed. Not all blue-green algae 'blooms' and 'scums' are toxic, but as you can’t tell by looking at them, it’s best to assume they are.

The confirmation followed reports of the algae being spotted in Coniston Water and Coniston Parish Council issuing a warning on its Facebook page at the weekend about the potential risks to people and animals, as people have been heading to the waters and lakes in the hot weather.

The parish council social media page advised people to "be careful," saying "it's tempting to swim in this heat but you put your health at risk. Same for dogs, it's can be deadly." It also said there are "reports of people feeling ill after swimming in it."

The Mail contacted The Environment Agency and a spokeswoman said: "Blue-green algae was reported on Coniston and a sample was taken on Sunday July 1. Sample analysis has confirmed algae present today."

See the Environment Agency Advice leaflet on blue-green algae here

The Environment Agency is responsible for responding to reports of blue-green algae presence in lakes and other waterbodies. It takes samples to check this and then informs relevant riparian owners, local authorities and statutory bodies. Riparian owners are advised to inform the public of the potential presence and risk of BGA.

Coniston Water has a number of riparian owners, some responsible for sections of shorelines or the base of water.

The Lake District National Park Authority is a riparian owner for the Coniston Water shoreline sections at Coniston Boat Centre, at Lake Road, Brown Howe and Monk Conistion. The Rawdon-Smith Trust is understood to own the bed of Coniston, and the National Trust is also understood to own sections of shoreline.

LDNPA has said that it was putting signs out in its sections of shoreline, at the north end of the water.

Steve Tatlock, park management team leader for the Lake District National Park said: “Blue green algae is a naturally occurring event that usually appears after a prolonged period of calm, hot weather. It can be very localised and can appear and disappear rapidly depending on weather conditions. For this reason, it is difficult to give absolute assurances that it is present or not in any particular ‘patch’ of water within any given lake or tarn.

"We recognise that the Lake District’s lakes, waters and tarns are popular in hot spells and we take our duty of care very seriously in terms of letting people know if blue-green algae has been confirmed by the Environment Agency in any water that can be accessed from the properties we own or manage. We encourage all other land owners to do likewise, however it is ultimately an individual’s decision whether to enter the water or not. The Environment Agency provide excellent information and advice on their website.”

The Mail has also contacted The Rawdon-Smith Trust, The National Trust and Coniston Parish Council.

The Environment Agency confirmed a blue-green algae bloom in Ullswater on June 25 and samples will be collected weekly until there have been two consecutive clear samples.

The public body said people should seek medical advice should there be concerns over health from contact, or contact local Environmental Health office for other advice.