Ezekiel Pond, Little West Pond, and Great South Pond are the latest bodies of water in Plymouth to be placed under a public health advisory by the town’s Department of Public Health because they have high levels of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae.
“We’re advising folks to stay out of the ponds that have active cyanobacteria blooms and the reason for that is that it can be dangerous to humans, pets, and wildlife because there’s toxins in the water and they can cause gastrointestinal skin irritation, and in some cases, neurological and liver issues,” said Karen Keane, Plymouth’s public health director. “So, it’s pretty serious stuff.”
Keane said after visual observation by Plymouth’s Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the state tests for cyanobacteria. An advisory is then posted and cannot be lifted until a body of water has been visually clear of algae blooms for two weeks.
“You think OK, the water is clear, so now I can go back in it but that’s not true,” Keane said. “Once the bloom goes away, you have to wait two weeks.”
The latest warnings bring to nine the number of Plymouth ponds with high cyanobacteria levels.
Big Sandy Pond and Little Herring Ponds, in Cedarville, Round Hole Pond, Billington Sea, Clear Pond, and Russell Mill Pond are also under advisories. An advisory for Great Herring Pond in Cedarville was lifted on Aug. 15.
As of Aug. 15, at least 40 ponds, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and one canal were under similar advisories in Massachusetts.
Cyanobacteria blooms turn the water blue-green and sometimes create a green scum on the surface. Ingesting it even in small amounts, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, while larger amounts may cause live or neurological damage, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Contact can cause skin or eye irritation. Small children are more susceptible to the bacteria than adults.
For pets and wildlife, exposure to the bacteria can be fatal. If you suspect your cat or dog has been in contaminated water, it’s recommended that you immediately wash its paws and fur.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.