3 Rhode Island Reservoirs And 1 Lake Infected With Toxic Algae: State

Toxic algae has infected three separate Rhode Island reservoirs and one lake, two state agencies reported.

Smith and Sayles Reservoir in Glocester, Wilson Reservoir in Burrillville, the Russell Road Beach section of Waterman Lake in Glocester, and the western basin south of Douglas Avenue of Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence and Smithfield were all infected, according to a warning issued by the Rhode Island Departments of Health and the Department of Environmental Management.

The blue-green algae in these bodies of water can produce toxins harmful to both humans and animals, the departments said.

Contact with the algae "can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and throat," according to a release issued by the two departments.

"Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea," the release said. "Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage."

Swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking in the infected water all pose a risk to one's health, according to the release, as does drinking untreated water or eating fish from the reservoirs and lake in question.

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