Monaghan County Council has issued a warning notice regarding algal blooms in the county's lakes.
Algae can multiply from April to November and discolour the water so that it appears green.
This is known as an Algal Bloom and can happen particularly during warm conditions.
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During calm weather, the algae can rise to the surface to form a scum.
Although this is not always harmful, contact with the affected water can cause illness such as skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The Local Authority has warned people to not swim or paddle in waters if there is evidence of discolouration of the water.
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Algal blooms and related scums can also be highly toxic to dogs and other animals and they should not drink, swim in, or ingest any scum.
