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Working on the water despite ongoing water crisis

Posted at 4:35 PM, Jul 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-12 18:59:25-04

The break has ended. Lake Okeechobee discharges will resume Friday.

Health officials on the Treasure Coast are still urging people to avoid blue-green algae.

At Outboards Only in Rio, you will find people working on and fixing boats near or on the water.

"We're in the water every day," said co-owner Phil Norman.

He's no stranger to the water crisis. The algae was thick and matted at his dock back in 2016.

"Thinking about it quite a bit lately," said Norman.

He's been thinking a lot about those potential health issues and he's worried for his employees.

"What it's going to do to us now, what's going to happen in the future. Don't know at the same time, still got to get out here making a living. This is what we do to pay our bills," said Norman.

Mary Radabaugh at Central Marine hopes the algae doesn't get worse. "Once again we'd have to shut down the business," said Radabaugh.

Dr. Michael Romano with Martin Health System had some advice for those working on the water earlier this week. "Even then you have to take precautions. A wetsuit or some kind of equipment," said Romano.

Martin Health System has seen an increase in patients recently with symptoms believed to be related to blue-green algae.