Blue-Green Algae Restrictions Lifted At Stafford Pond In Tiverton

TIVERTON, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) lifted the blue-green algae advisory Wednesday at Stafford Pond in Tiverton.

State health officials said recent surveys by the Department of Environmental Management and sample analysis conducted by RIDOH's State Health Laboratories confirmed that blue-green algae has been at acceptably low levels and that cyanotoxins are not present in detectable concentrations.

Blue-green algae conditions can change quickly, and it is possible that blooms may affect Stafford Pond again, as well as other water bodies 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.