Greenwood Lake Bacteria Levels 10X Higher Above Safe Level

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Harmful bacteria levels from an algae bloom at Greenwood Lake are up to 10 times higher than what is recommended by the state, test results taken from the lake show.

Samples taken Monday from one site at the lake show Cyanobacteria levels at 212,000 cells per milliliter, results published by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection show. The state health advisory threshold of 20,000 cells per milliliter.

Samples from two other sites had levels at 61,000 and 90,000 cells per milliliter. Cell counts taken from Browns Point at the lake had cell levels of 148,000 cells per milliliter.

Related: State Testing Water At Greenwood Lake Following Algae Bloom

The DEP is advising people to avoid swimming in or coming into contact with water in the New Jersey half of Greenwood Lake. The lake straddles the New Jersey-New York state border. People should also avoid participating in water sports on the lake and not eat fish caught there. Officials also recommended closing all beaches at the lake.

Pets should not go into the water or drink it.

There is no "scientifically sound treatment" that can eliminate such blooms from bodies of water. The DEP will continually monitor the lake.

Acute illnesses caused by exposure to cyanotoxins can happen, the DEP said. After short-term exposures, the toxins can cause liver and kidney damage. Livestock and pets could be particularly vulnerable, and contact with the water could be fatal to animals.

Cynobacteria are naturally found in lakes and streams in low numbers, but certain factors, including sunlight, warm temperatures, and calm, nutrient-rich water could lead to a harmful bloom forming, DEP said. Rain runoff can carry nutrients found in fertilizers, septic systems, and animal waste the algae feed off of into lakes and other bodies of water.

DEP confirmed the presence of the harmful algae bloom at the lake after testing the samples and conducting surveillance of the lake from the air, officials said. Looking at the lake from the air, the DEP found phycocyanin, a pigment found in cyanobacteria.

Greenwood Lake is the second major lake in North Jersey to be placed under such an advisory this summer. Lake Hopatcong in South Jersey was placed under an advisory June 27.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com