The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued blue-green algae alerts for three separate lakes in the area.
On Thursday, health officials issued alerts at Big Sand Lake, Lake Martha, and Lake Burkett after site visits and water samples taken on Tuesday, January 3, revealed the presence of blue-green algal blooms.
Algae blooms have the potential to produce toxins and health officials are emphasizing the importance of exercising caution when near them. Residents and visitors are advised to not drink, swim, wade, or use personal watercraft in waters where blooms are present.
Furthermore, visitors should avoid getting water in eyes, noses, or mouths, and pets and livestock should be kept away from the waters.
Shellfish should not be consumed from these waters either.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results are posted through the department’s website.
To report an algal bloom, visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection algal bloom monitoring and response webpage.