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

Jim Waymer
Florida Today
An air boat cruises near the boat ramp at Lake Washington in July 2019, when blue-green algae blanketed the lake.

Best not drink, swim, wade, boat in or eat fish from Lake Washington or the Stick Marsh, health officials warned. Don't let your dog sip the water either.

The Florida Department of Health in Brevard issued a health alert Tuesday about harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Washington and the Stick Marsh. Samples drawn on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 found the microcystin toxin present in the two water bodies. 

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 said the levels of the algae toxin are so low that there's no risk to water customers.

"This has nothing to do with the drinking water plant. There is no alert for the drinking water," said Cynthia Leckey, environmental health director, Brevard County Health Department.

The public should, however, exercise caution in and around Lake Washington and the Stick Marsh, which are both outcroppings of the slow-flowing St. Johns River.

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.

It typically blooms in Lake Washington during hot summer months, but this year's warmer than usual temperatures may have favored the algae species that emit the toxin, Leckey said.

Health officials planned to put up caution signs about the algae at Lake Washington by the end of the day Tuesday.

The alert will be lifted as soon as follow up water tests show the lake is free of the toxins, Leckey said. 

Read more: Green algae fouls Lake Washington

Does toxic algae make COVID worse? Florida researchers are trying to find out

Bright-green algae blanketed waters near the lake's banks in July 2019. The algae was so thick at the time that it altered how the city disinfects its water, resulting in about 60 customer complaints of a strange odor to the drinking water.

It prompted Rep. Randy Fine to hold a town hall on the matter.

Read more: Randy Fine holds town hall in Melbourne drinking water situation

Excess algae has become an every-summer scourge for many Florida lakes, including Lake Washington. Rains bring remnants of fertilizers, leaky septic and sewer systems, and land-applied sewage sludge to fuel the algae explosions, sometimes toxic. Hot temperatures further fuel the algae growth.

Blue-green algae coated waters near the banks of Lake Washington Monday (7/29/2019), where signs warn of potentially toxic algae.

Watch out for blue-green algae blooms in Lake Washing and Stick Marsh

  • Health officials said Tuesday that the public should take the following precautions:
  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae ordiscolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. 
  • 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?

  • A type of bacteria 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.
  • Sunny days, warm, still water and excess nutrients contribute to the blooms, which can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall.

Is it harmful?

  • Blue-green algae can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.
  • For information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins.
  • For current information about Florida’s water quality and public health notifications for harmful algae visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov. 

What to do if you see an algae bloom?

  • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algae bloom samples. To report a bloom, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.
  • Report fish kills at 1-800-636-0511.
  • Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algae bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center, at 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.
  • Contact your veterinarian if your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae contaminated water.
  • For information, call the Florida Department of Health in Brevard at 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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