Harmful Algae Found In Greenville's Slack Reservoir

GREENVILLE, RI — Health officials are warning about harmful blue-green algae in the Greenville's Slack Reservoir, which spans the Smithfield and Johnston town line. Due to the cyanobacteria, all recreation activities including swimming at the pond are not recommended at this time. The algae is harmful to both humans and animals, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

According to the health and environmental officials, the cyanobacteria can produce toxins, including microcystins, that can harm humans and animals. Very high levels of microcystins were detective in the water samples taken from the Little Beach area near Terrance Drive in Greenville. Visual monitoring found another likely blue-green algae bloom in the Green Lake area of the reservoir.

All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, should be avoided, according to the state's health and environmental officials. Pets can also be harmed by exposure to the algae.

The advisory will be in effect until further notice.

Skin contact with the blue-green algae causes irritations of skin, nose, eyes and/or throat, health officials say. Ingesting the algae may cause vomiting, nausea, stomach ache and diarrhea. More rare health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage and nervous system damage.

Young children and pets are at a particular risk for health effects that come with algae toxins. If you have had contact with the reservoir waters and experience the symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Those who come into contact with the blue-green algae water should rinse their skin with clean water as soon as possible. Take a shower as soon as you get home and wash your clothes.

If a pet comes into contact with the water, immediately wash your pet with clean water. Do not let the animal lick the algae off its fur. Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any symptoms of sickness that occurs within a day, or so, after being in contact with the water.

People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

If is possible that blue-green algae blooms may be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. People are advised to avoid contact with waterbodies that exhibit bright green discoloration in the water or at the water surface, and/or dense floating algal mats that form on the water's surface. The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese, according to environmental officials.

To report blue-green algae blooms, contact the Department of Environmental Management's Office of Water Resources, at 222-4700 or email DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov. If possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.