RIDOH lifts remaining blue-green algae advisories for local ponds

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are lifting the health advisories that had been put in place for several bodies of water because of blue-green algae blooms. The advisories had cautioned people to avoid contact and recreational activities with these bodies of water. Blooms of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals.

Effective immediately, advisories are lifted for:

No advisories for blue-green algae remain in effect in Rhode Island. DEM will re-visit water bodies in early summer 2018, when blooms might be expected to occur, and advisories will be issued, as needed.

The public is reminded to 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. While seasonal cooling and declining daylight generally cause blue-green algae to subside, if a bloom is suspected please contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov.