Indian Lake In Worcester Getting Toxic Algae Treatment

WORCESTER, MA — Indian Lake in Worcester is off-limits on Thursday because the public works department will be treating the urban lake to prevent toxic algae blooms.

The city will treat the lake with aluminum sulfate, which eliminates phosphorus, the main food source for cyanobacteria. Aluminum sulfate is used in a variety of applications, including vaccines and in the food industry.

However, city officials are asking residents not to boat or swim in Indian Lake until Friday. Residents should also keep pets away from the water.

Toxic algae blooms form when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous become too abundant in either fresh or salt water, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Some blooms can cause nerve and organ damage.

"During warm weather, tiny plant-like organisms — algae and cyanobacteria — are more likely to grow out of control in rivers, lakes and oceans," according to the Centers for Disease Control. "These overgrowths — or "blooms" — sometimes look like foam, scum, mats, or paint on the surface and can look or smell bad."

Worcester will have signs posted at Indian Lake warning about the aluminum sulfate treatment.