POLK COUNTY, Fla – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) is advising the public about the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Rochelle – Dock.
While water sample testing is underway, DOH-Polk is urging residents and visitors to exercise caution due to the potential for blue-green algae to produce toxins.
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Recommended Precautions:
- Avoid Contact: Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, or come into contact with waters where a visible bloom is present.
- Wash Thoroughly: If you have any contact with algae or discolored water that smells unpleasant, wash your skin and clothing with soap and water
- Protect Animals: Keep pets and livestock away from the area, as waters with algae blooms are not safe for animals. Use an alternative water source for them when blooms are present.
- Food Safety: Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms; boiling the water will not eliminate toxins. Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is considered safe if the fillets are rinsed with tap or bottled water, the guts are thrown out, and the fish is cooked thoroughly. Do not eat shellfish from waters with algae blooms.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its partners are collecting and analyzing algae samples from reported bloom locations. Toxin results can be found on Protecting Florida Together and DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.
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Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria common in Florida’s freshwater environments. Blooms occur when rapid algal growth leads to an accumulation of cells, discoloring the water and often producing floating mats with unpleasant odors. Blooms can appear as scum, foam, or paint on the water surface in various colors. More information on the appearance of algae blooms is available at Protecting Florida Together.
Contributing environmental factors include sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients. Blooms are possible year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. It’s important to note that many blue-green algae types can produce toxins, and the algae may be present in the water even when a bloom is not visible.
Blue-green algae can produce toxins harmful to humans and pets, as well as to ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals. Sensitive individuals, such as children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised, may be at risk even at low toxin concentrations and should avoid any exposure.
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