Westborough Lake Closed For Dangerous Bacteria

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Amid a heat wave, a lake in Westborough is closed indefinitely, according to the town's public health director.

Lake Chauncy is off-limits to the public after the Public Health Department found cyanobacteria, which is blue-green algae, in the water. The closure began on Monday morning and applies to swimming, boating, fishing or other forms of direct contact with the water.

Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that pose serious health risks to humans and animals, according to the public health director. It can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, respiratory distress and in severe cases, life-threatening symptoms.

Pets and wildlife that drink or swim in the water could become extremely ill or die.

The town will reopen Lake Chauncy once the water quality is safe for public use.