(Cazenovia, NY – July 10, 2015) Madison County Health Department announced today beach closures due to blue-green algae blooms at Lakeland Park and Willow Bank Yacht Club on Cazenovia Lake.
Swimming, wading, and water contact activities at these beaches will remain closed until further notice by the Madison County Health Department until both visual verification that the bloom has cleared and water samples from the swimming area show toxin levels are below a level of concern.
Residents with homes along the shore of Cazenovia Lake should watch for the presence of additional blue-green algae blooms.
“If a home is near an area with a blue-green algae bloom, residents should take precautions to avoid recreational contact like swimming as well as household contact if the water to the home is supplied from an area of the lake exhibiting a blue-green algae bloom,” said Geoffrey Snyder, Madison County Environmental Health Director. “While bathing or showering with water not visibly affected by a blue-green algae bloom is not expected to cause health effects, some individuals may experience mild symptoms such as skin, eye, throat irritation or allergic reactions.”
Blue-green algae (cynobacteria) are naturally present in freshwater lakes, ponds and streams in low numbers with no visible blooms. Algae blooms most frequently occur in nutrient-rich,shallow, undisturbed surface water, particularly during hot, sunny, and calm weather. Some algae can produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals, some do not. Blue-green algae can form harmful (toxic) algae blooms that discolor the water or produce floating rafts or scums on the surface of the water. Blue-green algae blooms typically has the appearance of pea soup, however colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red.
Exposure to any blue-green algae can cause health effects to people and animals when water with dense blooms is contacted, or swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. Symptoms if exposure may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin or throat irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Blue-green algae can also produce toxins that affect the liver and nervous systems when water is consumed in sufficient quantities.
Steps to avoid blue-green algae exposure:
- If you see it (floating scums, and discolored water) – avoid it. It is difficult to tell a harmful algae bloom from other algae blooms. If contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.
- People not on public water supplies should not drink surface water, even if it is treated, during an algal bloom because in-home treatments such as boiling or disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) or water filtration units do not protect people from blue-green algal toxins. However, swimming, bathing or showering with water not visibly affected by a blue-green algae bloom is not expected to cause health effects.
- If you or a pet are exposed to blue-green algae blooms, rinse off with clean water immediately and see a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of illness.
For more information about algae blooms visit http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm or contact Madison County Health Department at 366-2526.