On December 8, Deputy Director Planning and Land Use Rob Sibley issued an advisory regarding a large, persistent blue-green algae bloom occurring in many parts of Taunton Lake.

According to Sibley, the temperate weather, combined with recent precipitation and little wind provides the perfect weather conditions for bloom events.

“Blooms this time of year are somewhat common as nutrients are available for the algae to use from the lake bottom after the lake turn-over in the fall,” his advisory states.

The lack of plant material might also be making more nutrients available for the algae to use.

We expect the blooms to subside as the water temperature drops once the weather gets colder, but will be keeping a close eye on the situation,” Sibley noted.

It is recommended to keep pets and children away from any part of the lake that might be blooming to prevent them from drinking or ingesting any of the water.

CT DEEP reports that several different types of blue-green algae that can produce toxins commonly occur in lakes and ponds in Connecticut. And assessing the potential health effects from blue-green algae blooms is complicated because the blue-green algae in a bloom may not be producing toxins.

Therefore, chemical analysis of the water is needed to verify if a blue-green algae bloom is releasing toxins.

People who recreate in waters when a blue-green algae bloom is present may be exposed to toxins by ingesting water, dermal contact, or inhalation of water droplets.

Potential health effects to such exposure could include:

*Irritation of the skin, nose, eyes and respiratory tract.

*Gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea upon ingestion.

*Liver or nervous system effects, if relatively large amounts of the algae are ingested.

Dogs are especially at risk from exposure to blue-green algae blooms because they can be exposed to the toxins in a similar manner as people. However, dogs may also drink from the tainted water and be exposed when they groom themselves after leaving the water.

Fish living in waters affected by a blue-green algae bloom may accumulate algal toxins in their muscle tissue and internal organs. The health risk posed by consumption of such fish is uncertain.

Toxin levels are usually higher in internal organs than in the muscle tissue.

General precautionary advice to anglers to reduce exposure includes:

*Avoid fishing in areas with visible algae blooms due to potential incidental contact with the water.

*Eat fish from water bodies with blue-green algae blooms in moderation (1-2 meals or less per week.)

*Remove skin and internal organs before cooking. Wash filets before cooking or freezing.

Learn more by visiting portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Water-Quality/Blue-Green-Algae-Blooms