WEBSTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Cyanobacteria has already plagued dozens of Massachusetts waters this summer, and now, Webster is another town that was recently added to the list.
Swimmers are advised to stay out of Webster Lake, including North Pond, Middle Pond and South Pond, due to a harmful algal bloom the town is monitoring, according to a public health advisory from the Webster Health Department.
That also means no boating or jet skiing – some of the lake’s main attractions.
Operating a boat, jet ski or other watercraft can contaminate the air with the algae’s toxin. Breathing in these airborne toxins can cause coughing, a sore throat and other respiratory problems, the advisory said.
Children and pets are especially vulnerable to these toxins and could become seriously ill within hours of exposure.
Harmful algal blooms can grow in fresh water, salt water or brackish water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental changes, such as warmer water, might be a culprit of helping to worsen harmful blooms, the CDC said.
If the health advisory continues, this will put a hold on the Webster Lake Association events schedule, such as “Dock O’ Treat” which is currently set for next month.
The Town of Webster is calling for the public’s help in tracking and monitoring the bacteria’s bloom by uploading photos that could signal its presence in the lake, according to the advisory. This algae can appear as foam, scum or mats on the water's surface. Webster is asking for submissions to include the date, time and exact location of where the image was taken.
People who believe they could be experiencing adverse effects from the water are urged to contact a doctor immediately, according to the advisory. Webster will continue sampling the water to ensure it is bacteria-free before reopening the lake.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.