It’s a water quality issue that arises each summer as the warm weather settles in across the region and this year will no different when it comes to toxic algae blooms on local waterways.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a health warning regarding the spread of toxic algae blooms. The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Health Division will likely do the same in the coming days.
The focus is on mitigating the rapid growth and reproduction of cyanobacteria that grow very well in warm slow-moving waters. The algae are toxic and present a danger to children and dogs in particular.
“Most of the time adults are fine, typically it’s the small kids and dogs that are the real concern,” said Amanda Ruddy, senior environmental health specialist with DHHS. “If you’re with your dog and they get into the water with the algae, you want to wash them off with fresh water as soon as possible because if they can get that scum in their fur and they will continue to lick it and that can make them ill.”
The presence of the toxic algae in local waterways became a public health concern around the year 2000 when dogs who had been in local rivers became ill. The Eel River Recovery Project (EERP) has been monitoring water and algae levels since and, according to information on its website, the cyanobacteria are a diverse group of organisms that can form colonies and become visible to the naked eye.
When the water warms up enough, the algae blooms become the dominant organisms in the area.
“Not all species or cells of cyanobacteria produce toxins, which makes it difficult to know if a blue-green algae bloom is toxic or not,” reads an ERRP handout. “Therefore, it is safest to assume that a bloom is toxic and avoid coming into contact with it.”
One can spot the algae in the water by looking for murky water or mats on the water surface. The algae are usually dark in color and can found floating on the surface or clinging to rocks and other objects. DHHS will begin putting up signs at areas prone to algae blooms to warn visitor about the potential threat, Ruddy said.
“You want to be aware, generally, of areas where the river moves slowly and has plenty of sun,” Ruddy said. “The warm stagnant water is where the algae are most commonly found. We are more or less approaching the season where we will blanket the county with caution signs.”
Health recommendations:
• Keep children, pets and livestock from swimming in or drinking water containing algal scums or mats.
• Adults should also avoid wading and swimming in water containing algal blooms. Try not to swallow or inhale water spray in an algal bloom area.
• If no algal scums or mats are visible, carefully watch young children and warn them not to swallow any water.
• Fish should be consumed only after removing the guts and liver and rinsing fillets in tap water.
• Never drink, cook with or wash dishes with water from rivers, streams or lakes.
• Get medical attention immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by cyanobacteria toxins. Be sure to tell the doctor or veterinarian about possible contact with cyanobacteria or algal blooms.
Source: DHHS
Dan Squier can be reached at 707-441-0528.
