Blue-Green Algae Shuts Sachem Pond On Block Island

NEW SHOREHAM, RI — Cyanobacteria has claimed three more Rhode Island waterways, and people are advised to avoid Slack Reservoir in Greenville, Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence, and Sachem Pond on Block Island.

The advisory was issued over the weekend by the state Department of Health and Department of Environmental Management.

Blue-green algae blooms produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. All recreation in affected waterways — including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking — should be avoided. People should not ingest water or eat fish from these waters. They should keep their dogs, horses and other pets away, state officials said.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Contact with affected waters can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, or throat. People who ingest the water can come down with stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Rarer health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at a particular risk.

Those who have had contact should immediately rinse their skin with clean water, then take a shower and wash their clothes. Those who experience symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets should be washed with clean water and prevented from licking their fur. A veterinarian should be contacted if a pet exposed to blue-green algae shows symptoms.

People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

People are advised to avoid contact with waterbodies that exhibit bright green coloration or dense floating algal mats that form on the water's surface. The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese.

To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM's Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.