Martin County - Friday March 29, 2024: The Florida Department of Health in Martin County (DOH-Martin) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the following 3 areas:
- St. Lucie Canal at the 96th St. Bridge
- St Lucie River at Four Rivers
- St. Lucie River at the Palm City Bridge.
This is in response to water samples taken by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this past Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26, according to a release issued by Martin County Health.
On his Facebook page today Congressman Brian Mast, who represents portions of the Treasure Coast and Northern Palm Beach County issued a warning saying "toxic algae that is more than two times the level safe for human contact has been found in Martin County thanks to discharges the Army Corps of Engineers has dumped into our community. They must stop discharging now. Lives are being put at risk."
At a news conference in Stuart Thursday the Congressman accused the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) of holding Lake Okeechobee "artificially high for the sugar industry."
Mast sent a letter to the Army Corps Monday "demanding" an immediate long-term halt to water discharges from Lake Okeechobee, arguing that's the only way to prevent the spread of blue-green algae.
The Corps has said that it will pause discharges for two-weeks beginning tomorrow, Saturday March 30.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
- Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
- Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are 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 the fish to proper temperature.
- Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
To see sample results and report an algal bloom, visit: floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom
What is blue-green algae?
Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when the rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.
Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.
Is it harmful?
Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.
For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins.
Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov. Protecting Florida Together is the state’s joint effort to provide statewide water quality information to prioritize environmental transparency and commitment to action.
What do I do if I see an algal bloom?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online.
To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-800-636-0511.
Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center, call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.
Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae contaminated water.
If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, please call the Florida Department of Health in Martin County at 772-221-4000.