Blue-Green Algae Strikes Again: State Health Department

CRANSTON, RI—A blue-green algae bloom has been spotted in the J.L. Curran Reservoir in Cranston and in Pleasure Lake in Roger Williams Park, Providence nearby. (A third bloom was spotted in Tiverton.) According to the state health department and the Department of Environmental Management, the water is unsafe for people and pets. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

J.L.Curran Reservoir, Cranston

A previous health advisory for Pleasure Lake was lifted earlier this month. However, that advisory is now being reinstated because the bloom in that waterbody has returned. Health advisories remain in place for other Roger Williams Park waterbodies.

Pleasure Lake, Roger Williams Park

The warning means people should also be careful not to ingest water or eat fish from the pond. All recreation, including fishing, boating, and kayaking, should be avoided. Pets can also be affected by exposure to the algal toxins, so owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in the water. Toxins may persist in the water after a blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

Steps for People Sickened by the Algae

Although blooms are most common in the summer and fall, they can take place at any time of the year.People who experience the symptoms associated with cyanobacteria exposure and who have been swimming or fishing in water, or drinking untreated water from a source with a confirmed or suspected cyanobacteria bloom, should contact their healthcare providers.

Contact with water containing cyanobacteria can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and/or throat. Ingestion of water containing cyanobacterial toxins can cause stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

People who come into contact with potentially affected waters should rinse their skin and wash their clothes with clean water as soon as possible.

Steps for Pets Sickened by the Algae

People observing pets exhibiting adverse health symptoms after contact with potentially affected waters should contact their veterinarians. Pets who have come in contact with potentially affected waters should not be allowed to lick water off their fur and should be rinsed with clean water as soon as possible.

How to Report Algae Blooms

The blooms can resemble paint or green cottage cheese or even thick pea soup. To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700.

It is possible that blue-green algae blooms may be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. The public should avoid contact with any body of water that is bright green or has a dense, floating algal mat on the water's surface. Blue-green algae blooms may look like green paint or thick pea soup. Toxins may persist in the water after a blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact RIDEM's Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov

Photo Credit: Alexander Nguyen