HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOM ALERT FOR MULTIPLE LAKE OKEECHOBEE LOCATIONS

HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOM ALERT FOR MULTIPLE LAKE OKEECHOBEE LOCATIONS | Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach (floridahealth.gov)

Palm Beach County, FL - The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the following Lake Okeechobee water body locations:

Pahokee Marina PM2 (post-treatment) - POLE3S

Pahokee Marina PM3 (post-treatment) - RITTAE2

LZ40 - LZ25A

L006- L007

PALMOUT3 - PELBAY3

LZ30 - Pahokee Marina Boat Ramp

This is in response to water samples taken between June 6th-7th 2023. The public should exercise caution in and around these areas. This is a recreational surface water alert, drinking water is not affected.

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.

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 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.

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 www.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.