The town hall of Técou, in the Tarn region of France, has called for vigilance after a resident reported the possible presence of cyanobacteria in the commune's lake.
In a post shared on social media on July 29, the municipality said no analysis had yet been carried out, so the presence of the micro-organisms was not confirmed.
While awaiting possible testing, the commune said it preferred to apply the precautionary principle. It noted that swimming is already banned in the lake and asked residents to strictly follow that rule. It also asked walkers to avoid any contact with the water and with any deposits or clusters that might be visible on the banks.
Risks to people and animals
The town hall also recommended not letting children play at the water's edge and making sure pets do not swim in or drink from the lake.
Cyanobacteria, sometimes called blue-green algae, can develop under certain environmental conditions. Some species can produce toxins that may cause health problems in humans and animals, particularly through ingestion of or contact with contaminated water.
At this stage, no contamination has been officially confirmed at the Técou lake. The municipality is nonetheless urging residents to remain vigilant while awaiting the results of any analysis.
