Visitors to Clatto Reservoir in Dundee are being warned to avoid contact with the water.
Recent sampling has identified high levels of blue-green algae and until the all clear is given people are being asked to avoid contact with the water and keep their pets away.
Blue-green algae are tiny organisms which develop naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and in the sea. They are a common seasonal occurrence and waters which have been affected by agricultural, domestic or industrial discharges are most at risk of developing the algae.
The algae can multiply during the summer months and discolour the water which then appears green, blue-green or greenish brown and, occasionally they clump together to form a scum on the surface of the water. At the shoreline, algal crusts may appear brown to almost black in colour.
Contact with algal scum or water close to it can cause skin rashes. More serious health effects can include stomach upsets, eye irritations and pain in muscles and joints. These symptoms are usually mild, but in some cases can be severe.
The risk to small animals like dogs is significant over the summer months as they tend to drink more water in the heat and may eat shoreline algal crusts. Dog owners should keep an eye on their pets, especially if they come in to contact with water which could be affected.
If anyone has been in contact with the water and experiences health problems they should contact their GP or NHS 24 on 111.
Notices are being been posted at the reservoir. Dundee City Council's Neighbourhood Services can provide further information on the algae on 433710.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
