It’s that time: Algae blooms

From the State Dept. of Ecology: Now that the weather is turning warmer and people are enjoying the water, be on your guard against toxic algae blooms in Washington’s lakes. They can make people sick, especially children.

If the level of toxins is high enough, pets, livestock and wildlife can die from drinking water laden with toxic algae.

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and local governments are monitoring algae toxins in lakes across the state. So far this year, few lakes have experienced toxic blooms, but that may change with warmer, sunnier weather.  So far, toxic algae blooms have been confirmed in Waughop Lake and Clear Lake in Pierce County, Lone Lake in Island County, and Anderson Lake in Jefferson County.

You can’t tell by looking at an algae bloom if it’s toxic.  Some algae are just a nuisance, while others may be beneficial.  Many blue-green algae – which actually are bacteria called cyanobacteria – are toxic.  However, not all are.  Some have both toxic and non-toxic strains, and for reasons that are not yet entirely clear, a bloom that is not producing toxin one day could start producing toxin the next.

Algae blooms contain millions of tiny, plant-like organisms.  They are more common in the summer and fall, but can occur anytime. When conditions are right – particularly on sunny days when certain nutrients such as phosphorus are present – algae can reproduce rapidly and become highly concentrated.  When this happens, a clear lake can turn pea-soup green in just a couple of days.

The algae might be smelly and look like green paint, oil or sewage floating on the surface. Blooms can be several inches thick on the shoreline and hard to pick up or hold.

Algae are a concern in marine waters, too, but for different reasons.  Some saltwater blooms, like the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison or “red tide,” are toxic.  Others are not, but they may pose an environmental concern. When algae die, they sink and decay. The decaying process robs oxygen from the water that fish and aquatic life need to survive.

To report a suspected freshwater algae bloom, call your nearest Department of Ecology office at any time.  Find out more about contacting Ecology at: www.ecy.wa.gov/reportaproblem.html
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To report an illness related to algae bloom exposure, contact your local health agency, or the state Department of Health at 360-236-3173.  The state health department website has information about symptoms related to blue-green algae toxins at: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/algae/default.htm.

Phosphorus and nitrogen are nutrients that feed algae blooms. They are found in animal and human waste (sewage), in fertilizers, and even in rainwater.  People can help keep these nutrients out of Washington waters in these ways:

* Your home septic tank -Check it, fix it and maintain it.
* Your yard – Reduce the use of fertilizers, especially before a big rain.  Don’t overwater.
* Your dog — Scoop, bag and trash dog poop.
* Your baby — Keep dirty diapers out of the water.
* Your car — Don’t feed soap to the storm drain. Wash your car on the lawn or at a commercial car wash.

To learn more about what you can do to keep our waters clean, visit Ecology’s water education website, Washington Waters – Ours to Protect at www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/

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Note to editors:  What does a freshwater algae bloom look like?  Go here:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/algae/monitoring/AlgaeBlooms.html

You may use any of these photos with a Department of Ecology credit.

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Media contacts:
Sandra Hughes, Department of Ecology, 360-791-7965; email: sandra.hughes@ecy.wa.gov
Donn Moyer, Department of Health, 360-236-4076, email donn.moyer@doh.wa.gov

For more information:

Ecology’s Web site: www.ecy.wa.gov

Report a suspected algae bloom:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/reportaproblem.html

How do I know if my lake or river is safe?

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/beach/lakes.html

Freshwater Algae Control Program:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/algae/index.html

Saltwater Algae Program

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/SWalgae/index.html