WESTBOROUGH – A public health advisory has been issued after cyanobacteria was found in Lake Chauncy.
Cyanobacteria is also known as blue-green algae.
“The algae bloom has the appearance of pea soup and is capable of producing toxins that can be dangerous to humans and pets,” the health department wrote in its warning.
The CDC reports that cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that are naturally found in all types of water. Blooms form when cyanobacteria begin to quickly multiply.
The department is urging people and their pets to avoid contact with areas of the lake that have a concentration of the algae and not to swallow the water. If there is any contact with the water, the department urges people to rinse off.
Earlier this summer, Shrewsbury’s Board of Health and the Worcester Division of Public Health issued an advisory after high levels of bacteria caused by a bloom of cyanobacteria was found in the Dean Park pond.
On Oct. 19, the town said that because this is a common occurrence, the pond will have a permanent advisory to keep avoiding contact with the water until further notice.
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