Avoid Water At Triadelphia Reservoir Due To Blue-Green Algae Contamination

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — WSSC Water has detected high concentrations of blue-green algae in the Triadelphia Reservoir, which can cause serious adverse health effects if a person is in contact with it, officials note. The reservoir, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery and Howard counties, serves as a drinking water source for WSSC Water and as a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating.

WSSC Water noted that its drinking water isn't affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. However, as a precaution, WSSC Water will be closely monitoring water quality conditions at its Patuxent Water Filtration Plant.

Anyone visiting WSSC Water’s Triadelphia Reservoir should do the following:

• Avoid all recreational water contact. If water contact occurs, rinse off immediately with clean water.
• Do not allow pets to swim in or drink the water (prohibited at all times by WSSC Water watershed regulations).
• Do not consume fish livers or digestive organs from fish caught in the reservoir. If a fish is caught in the reservoir, wash fillets thoroughly with drinking water.

Signs will be posted throughout the reservoir’s recreational areas to make visitors aware of this water contact health advisory.