Florida DOH water advisory: Toxic algae health warning issued for these Stuart-area waters
Max ChesnesSTUART — The public should avoid contact with C-44 Canal water near the St. Lucie Lock and Dam, which contains toxic algae traces, state officials warned Monday.
The water eventually could make its way into the St. Lucie River, as rainfall runoff currently is being released from the canal into the river through the lock.
The potentially harmful cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, contained 0.41 parts per billion of the toxin microcystin on Sept. 21, according to Florida Department of Environmental Protection data updated Monday.
At 8 parts per billion, the toxin makes water too hazardous to touch, ingest or inhale for people, pets and wildlife, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Rainfall runoff being released from C-44 Canal to St. Lucie River
Rainfall runoff from the canal to the river has increased recently after several days of heavy rainfall in the area, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Florida commander Col. James Booth told TCPalm Friday.
Last week, the weekly average rate was 327 million gallons. On Monday, the rate was 255 million gallons per day.
"I'm not surprised," Indian Riverkeeper Mike Conner said about the toxic water advisory Monday. "The water (in the canal) is filthy and full of nutrients."
Agricultural runoff in western Martin County can carry nitrogen and phosphorus that feed algae, making it bloom.
Conner documented an algal bloom about a quarter-mile east of the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam on the western end of the C-44 Canal by taking water samples Sept. 17.
Lake Okeechobee, Port Mayaca
A water advisory remains in effect for Lake Okeechobee's east shore and Port Mayaca in Indiantown, according to the Florida Department of Health office in Martin County.
The floodgates that connect Lake O to the C-44 Canal are closed, and no lake water is heading east, Booth said. An algal bloom was observed in the lake just west of the Port Mayaca lock Sept. 20, but tests did not document any microcystin, data show.
A blue-green algae bloom spanned 220 square miles — about the size of Chicago — across Lake O Monday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cyanobacteria Index.
BMAA, another toxin found in algae, can trigger neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's at high concentrations. Dogs in Stuart have even died after tests showed toxins in their urine and liver.
The DOH advises residents and visitors to take these following precautions:
- Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible blue-green algae bloom.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or water that's discolored or smelly.
- Keep pets away from the area. Water containing algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
- Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
- Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
- Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
What do I do if I see an algal bloom?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. Report a bloom to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.
Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.
Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222.
Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with water containing blue-green algae.
If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, call the Florida Department of Health in Martin County at 772-221-4000.
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Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter focusing on issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224.