Blue-green algae bloom alert issued at Pioneer Lake in Deltona

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County has issued a Health Alert following the detection of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Pioneer Lake, located off Abigail Drive in Deltona. This alert comes in response to a water sample collected on November 6, 2023. Residents and visitors should exercise caution in and around Pioneer Lake until further notice.

Blue-green algae is a bacteria commonly found in Florida's freshwater environments. Algal blooms occur when these bacteria experience rapid growth, collecting individual cells that discolor water and form floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Several environmental factors, including sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients, contribute to the formation of blue-green algae blooms, which can occur year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.

Blue-green algae blooms can adversely affect human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals. For additional information on the potential health effects of algal blooms, the public is encouraged to visit the Florida Department of Health - Aquatic Toxins.

In light of the potential health risks associated with blue-green algae exposure, the public can take several precautions:

• Refrain from drinking, swimming, wading, using personal watercraft, water skiing, or boating in areas with a visible bloom.
• If there's contact with algae, discolored, or foul-smelling water, promptly wash skin and clothing with soap and water.
• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have different water sources when algae blooms are present.
• Refrain from using water contaminated by algae blooms for cooking or cleaning dishes, as boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
• It is safe to consume fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, discard the guts, and cook fish to an appropriate temperature.
• Do not consume shellfish from waters with algae blooms.

For additional health questions or concerns regarding blue-green algae blooms, residents can contact the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County at (386) 274-0694.