A blue-green algae alert has been issued for the Gator Slough Canal, raising health concerns in Cape Coral. The Lee County Department of Health is advising residents to avoid drinking, swimming, or coming into contact with the canal water due to toxic blooms.
Matt DeOpalis from the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
"It's really something that people should not take lightly," said DeOpalis.
The presence of blue-green algae, especially during a bloom, poses a significant threat to humans, pets, and marine life. DeOpalis explained that although these blooms usually occur in the summer, it is not unusual to see them in December.
"The severity of these blooms is often understated. These are really dangerous toxins if you have exposure to them," said DeOpalis.
He mentioned that the release of nutrients can lead to blooms in the Caloosahatchee Estuary and other areas like Cape Coral.
"When we get releases from the lake, there's always that potential to transport a bloom down into the Caloosahatchee estuary," said DeOpalis. "Back in canals in Cape Coral and some of the other areas in Lee County, we can expect blooms to pop up whenever there's a little burst of nutrients, or whenever the bloom conditions are just right."
Solutions like aeration systems and chemical treatments might help in breaking up the bloom, but the timeline for water safety remains uncertain.
"You can implement a system of aeration, you put a bubbler at the bottom of the canal, and that helps break up the bloom," said DeOpalis. "There are some chemical treatment options that can be available depending on the specific situation. There's so many variables we can't say exactly what that timeline looks like."
The Department of Health advises washing skin and clothing with soap and water if contact with the algae occurs, and to keep pets away from the water.