The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recommend lifting the advisory for recreational activities at Larkin Pond in South Kingstown. The advisory was issued earlier due to elevated levels of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.
According to the departments, recent consecutive surveys and sample analyses confirmed that blue-green algae levels are now at acceptably low levels and cyanotoxin is no longer present in detectable concentrations. This data meets the advisory guidelines, prompting the decision to lift the restriction.
Although the advisory has been lifted, the public is reminded that blue-green algae conditions can change rapidly. It is still possible for blooms to affect Larkin Pond or other water bodies in Rhode Island.
The public is advised to avoid water bodies with bright green color or dense, floating algal mats. Blue-green algae blooms can resemble green paint or thick pea soup. It’s important to note that toxins may persist in the water even after the bloom is no longer visible.
For updated information on current advisories, visit RIDEM’s website at www.dem.ri.gov/bluegreen. To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact RIDEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
