Toxic algae blooms threaten animals and humans in Alva canals

ALVA, Fla. —

Toxic algae blooms in Alva canals are posing serious health risks to pets and humans, likely fueled by nutrients from Lake Okeechobee, experts say.

John King, who retired in Alva two decades ago, has noticed the increasing greenness of the water during his boating trips.

"When it gets real green, this is almost like the pollen on the water," King said.

State samples have identified toxic algae blooms in Labelle and Moore Haven.

Also, in Alva canals, along Sebastian Court, Leavitt Road, and Iverson Street, with visible green streaks along Sebastian Court.

According to Matt DePaolis, environmental policy director for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, these blooms often originate in canals due to factors like fertilizer and development.

"Lake Okeechobee has a massive nutrient layer that just sits on the bottom of that lake from years of agricultural use around that lake, and those nutrients can often serve as the catalyst for a massive blue-green algae bloom," DePaolis said.

DePaolis warned that interacting with the algae can be deadly for pets if they swim in it and can cause lasting effects on humans and animals.

"There's been a lot of ties to neurodegenerative diseases from exposure to blue-green algae," he said.

He advises residents to avoid contact with the algae as much as possible and notes that the duration of the bloom depends on environmental factors such as wind and nutrient levels.

For those concerned about the toxicity of algae in their water, DePaolis recommends checking the Florida Department of Health or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s websites for data.

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