GLOCESTER – The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said the public should avoid Lake Washington in Glocester due to blue-green algae bloom. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by the DEM.
RIDOH noted that skin contact with blue-green algae can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and throat, while ingesting the algae can cause stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, as well as dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Animals suffering from blue-green algae poisoning can suffer symptoms including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness.
All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, should be avoided, according to the advisory. People should not ingest water or eat fish from the ponds.
Any person or pet who comes in contact with the contaminated water should wash off their skin with clean water as soon as possible, and then bathe and wash their clothes.
If a person or pet is experiencing symptoms a healthcare provider should be contacted.
In is the second advisory issued regarding a water body in Glocester in recent weeks. The agencies also recommended avoiding Keech Pond in a recent advisory that has yet to be lifted.
The advisory will remain in effect until further notice. More information on blue-green algae can be found here.
