People in Cumbria are being asked to report sightings of blue-green algae on a new app following recent reports in Coniston, Winderemere and other lakes in the county.
The Environment Agency and partners are encouraging members of the public to report potential sightings of blue-green algae via a new app following reports of algal blooms in a number of lakes in Cumbria.
The Bloomin’ Algae app is a new way to record potential sightings of blue-green algae. The app lets you submit sightings at the location with a photograph and can help speed up the process for warning members of the public and can manage risks in your area.
Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring environmental phenomenon that becomes more likely during periods of warm, settled, dry weather but can also form after periods of heavy rain.
The algae poses a small risk to human health if a person comes into direct contact with it. It can however pose a serious risk to animals such as dogs if they drink or swim in affected water.
Jim Ratcliffe, environment manager at the Environment Agency said: “Blue-green algae can cause stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin rashes though the risk to people is normally very low as they are unlikely to swallow much-contaminated water.
“Animals such as dogs can, however, be more seriously affected and we would urge dog owners to keep their pets out of the water if they suspect that blue-green algae may be present.
“If you suspect blue-green algae you can use the app or contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60 so that we can inform relevant landowners and ask them to take the necessary steps to warn the public of potential dangers.”
Professor Laurence Carvalho of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology said: “The public can play a crucial role in providing a rapid, early warning to pet owners about outbreaks of blue-green algae.
“If people report sightings via the Bloomin’ Algae app with a photograph, we can quickly check if it is blue-green algae or something harmless, with correct and incorrect reports plotted on an interactive map in the app.
“App users can also set up notifications for confirmed blooms in their area.”
