Toxic Algae Growth At Another Arlington Pond

ARLINGTON, MA — The Board of Health is warning residents to stay out of Hill's Pond at Menotomy Rocks Park due to a visible algal bloom.

Residents are advised not to swim or stand in the pond and keep their pets away from the water. A harmful algal bloom is an overgrowth of algae in a body of water that can affect water quality and aquatic life. Some growths produced by bacteria can contribute to eye, ear or skin irritation.

Invested of elevated concentrations of the algae and its toxin can lead to more serious health effects in people and animals, such as muscle cramps, twitching and liver damage.

A health advisory was also issued for Spy Pond late last week due to the same issue.