Florida health officials warn of toxic algae in Lake Washington

Visitors to Lake Washington should not drink, swim, wade, boat, eat fish from the lake or let pets sip the water, health officials warned late Friday.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard issued an alert late Friday for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Washington.

The alert was in response to a lake water sample taken Feb. 20 by the St. Johns River Water Management District. That sample found a "trace" level (0.26 parts per billion) of a blue-green algae toxin called microcystin. On the same day, the water management district also found triple that level of the same toxin in Lake Jesup in Seminole County.

Health officials issued a similar alert for the same toxin in Lake Washington in January of last year. It typically blooms in the lake during hot summer months, but this and last year's warmer than usual temperatures may have favored the algae species that emit the toxin. 

More:Brevard health officials warn of toxic algae in Lake Washington, Stick Marsh

Microcystin is a toxin produced by certain species of blue-green algae. The toxin is linked with short and long-term health risks, such as liver disease and cancer. The toxin shut down Toledo's water supply for a few days in 2014. The algae commonly blooms in Central and South Florida, and is toxic to fish, plants, invertebrates and mammals, including humans.

Lake Washington is the main source of drinking water for more than 170,000 people served by the city of Melbourne's water system. But health officials have said in the past that when levels of the algae toxin are at trace levels there's no risk to water customers. The health department did not issue any notice regarding the city's drinking water.

But, "The public should exercise caution in and around" the lake, the health department's release said.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible algae bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.

Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.

Is it harmful?

Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.

For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins.

Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov. Protecting Florida Together is the state’s joint effort to provide statewide water quality information to prioritize environmental transparency and commitment to action.

What do I do if I see an algal bloom?The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online.

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-800-636-0511.

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center, call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae contaminated water.

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, please email the Florida Department of Health in Brevard at brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov or call 321-633-2100.

Jim Waymer is an environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Or find him on Twitter: @JWayEnviro or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jim.waymer

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