Health alerts for Florida toxic water

Green slime and toxic water have targeted certain parts of Florida and the warm weather is behind the surge.

High concentrations of cyanobacteria have been teeming in Lake Okeechobee this summer.  The blue-green algae took over 45 percent of the lake in mid-July blanketing the surface with algae levels similar to July 2021 and 2020. Dozens of spots on Lake Okeechobee have been issued health alerts for blue-green algal toxins.

So far satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 7/20 and 7/21 does not show the same pressure on Flordia’s second largest lake. Lake George has areas of moderate to high bloom potential in addition to parts of the St. Johns River from the mainstem downstream of Lake George to approximately Hastings, Florida and in Doctors Lake.

In recent weeks some areas of the river in St. Johns and Clay County have been placed under health alerts.

The summer months are the time of year when warm temperatures and low water flow can enhance blooms. Outbreaks have been on the rise in recent years and excessive nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus flushed into the system make it worse. Ninety percent of Lake Okeechobee was covered by a massive cyanobacteria outbreak in 2018.

Many blue-green algae can produce toxins and algal blooms can result in high enough concentrations to make people and animals sick. Some varieties can produce cyanotoxins that lead to health effects on the liver, nervous system and cell function.  Most of the time the toxins must be ingested but even direct contact or breathing airborne droplets during swimming or showering can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat.

The Florida Department of Health issues health alerts and may also post signs when blooms could affect people using beaches or other areas where there is a potential for exposure.

The future will likely see more blooms as climate change fosters the right conditions for blooms.

Cold and rain can decrease the cyanobacteria blooms and storm winds can shift blooms away, but those winds can also promote new flair-ups by mixing untapped nutrients

The most effective control people can take to lower the intensity and duration of blue-green algal blooms is to reduce the supply of nutrient pollution.

Here are few tips residents can follow:

• Fertilize responsibly – Minimize fertilizer in the summer. The excess can contaminate waterways in stormwater runoff when it rains.
• If your home has a septic tank, have it serviced and inspected regularly. The best option is to have your home hooked up a public sewer system.
• Pick up after your pets. Pet waste can add nutrient pollution to our waterways.