Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) —The city of Boston issued a health advisory Thursday that warns residents to avoid water in the Charles River because of high bacteria levels.
The advisory is still not enough to keep some people out of their rowing boats. Instead, they are taking precautions by adding new steps on to their routines.
“Sometimes, you know, we touch the water to clean our hands,” Jan, a rower at the MIT Boathouse, said. “We won't do that.”
High levels of cyanobacteria bloom bacteria has appeared in the Charles all the way downstream from Mass Ave and the Harvard Bridge, according to the city’s health advisory.
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Blue-green algae can form harmful blooms in lakes, ponds and rivers that make the water murky, resembling pea soup or paint, the advisory said. These algae blooms can produce toxins and cause sickness in people and pets.
Even though inhalation and direct skin contact with the water droplets are leading concerns for the city, but Jan said that "rowing never stops."
He said a good shower afterwards is helping him stay safe.
WBZ NewsRadio's (@jamesrojas.bsky.social) reports.