Contra Costa County health officials and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board are advising people in Discovery Bay to avoid playing in bodies of water in the area after preliminary field tests indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae.
Exposure to blue-green algae can cause rashes, skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and other effects. At high levels, exposure can result in serious illness or death, according to the California Department of Public Health. Dogs are especially vulnerable to getting sick and there have been several reports through the years of dogs dying following exposure.
“We want people in the area to be on the lookout for water with green material floating in the water,” Dr. Marilyn Underwood, the director of the Environmental Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services, the county health department. “Even if you’re not sure it’s blue-green algae, it’s best if your family and your dogs do not to go in the water. When in doubt, stay out.”
So far, no one in Discovery Bay has reported becoming ill because of the algae.
Blooms of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can look like green, blue-green, white, or brown foam and scum floating on top of or suspended in the water.
County health officials performed the field tests in private-access areas of the man-made bay following complaints from residents. Since the field tests indicated that the water may contain cyanobacterial toxins, samples have been sent to state and federal labs to confirm the preliminary findings. Those test results are expected back in about a week, said Dr. Underwood.
If test results confirm the presence of blue-green algae, Dr. Underwood said warning signs would be posted in Discovery Bay. Dr. Underwood added that potential contamination only affects recreational water areas, not drinking water from the tap in Discovery Bay.
For more information on toxic algae blooms:
California Department of Public Health:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Bluegreenalgae.aspx
6 comments
Discovery Bay waters are terrible.Overpriced houses that will lose value rapidly when water is so polluted and you better not eat the fish or swim.
Are you talking about the deep water bays?
Typical uneducated comment. Overpriced homes, now that’s funny. If you ask me they are and have been undervalued. They won’t be losing value anytime soon due to the fresh water they are located on. The algae blooms they are experiencing is a natural occurance-can’t which happens every year throughout the delta. ( Sounds like Ray hoag is just jealous he can’t afford a home there. )
Hey everyone! We have lived on the water here in beautiful Discovey Bay for 20 years. The blooming algie has always been here. Some years are better than others. Discovey Bay is in no way polluted. The only pollution here is the people that come in and leave their trash everywhere. We are taking the suggestion to not swim in the backyard for now. Mr Hoag, please don’t put words out there when they’re not true. Have a happy fun summer everyone!
Such an unsupported and badly written article. What agenda is this written under?
This was a press release from the county
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