DEM confirms toxic algae bloom confirmed at Warwick Pond

Posted 8/30/16

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has confirmed the fears of those living on and near Warwick Pond that the pond has a blue-green algae bloom and that they should avoid contact with the water. A DEM spokeswoman said Friday that the

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DEM confirms toxic algae bloom confirmed at Warwick Pond

Posted

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has confirmed the fears of those living on and near Warwick Pond that the pond has a blue-green algae bloom and that they should avoid contact with the water.

A DEM spokeswoman said Friday that the cyanobacteria bloom is toxic. Blue-green algae can produce cyanotoxins, which can harm humans and animals.

People should be careful not to swim in, ingest water or eat fish from Warwick Pond and should not allow pets to drink or swim in the pond water. Young children and pets are more at risk to algal toxins than adults, since they are smaller and are more likely to drink contaminated water, according to the advisory.

Irritation of the skin, nose, eyes and/or throat may result from skin contact with blue-green algae. Ingestion of water containing algal toxins may cause stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Other possible health effects, which are rarer, include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage and nervous system damage. People who have been swimming in or otherwise in contact with Warwick Pond and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare providers.

The pond experienced its first blue-green algae bloom last year. Blooms usually occur during extended periods of warm weather and when there is a lot of sunlight. Blooms also require nutrients.

In the wake of last year’s bloom, the Friends of Warwick Ponds was formed and the group has been active in educating Warwick Pond residents about the impacts of nutrients, such as fertilizers and actions to prevent them from reaching the pond. The Friends has also been supportive of city and state efforts to identify outflows to the pond and reduce the inflow of nutrients.

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  • richardcorrente

    As a very proud member of the Friends of Warwick Ponds, I have witnessed this contamination first hand. We had our monthly "meeting" in the middle of the pond, with several boats, pontoons, canoes, and me in a kayak. After the meeting and backyard luncheon, I decided to paddle to the spot where the water drains in from the Airport. My intention was to drink a handful to see for myself how it tasted. I convinced myself that that amount "couldn't hurt". As I got closer to the drain my eyes started top burn and I could smell something that had a strong chemical odor. I decided not to drink it, even in that small amount. The issue is simple. What is coming from the Airport drain is, most probably, contaminated and needs to be purified by the RIAC.

    As Mayor I will strongly press them for this solution. Their new President, Peter Frazier, is an intelligent man, that I have spoken with at length, and got the sense of fairness from. He said to me "Rick, if you have a clean-up day I will get my feet as muddy as you get yours!" I get the feeling that he wants the Airport to be a better neighbor and, as Mayor I will help him accomplish that.

    Stay tuned. This is going to become a win-win for everybody but we're not there yet. We still have a lot of work to do and the head of Friends of Warwick Ponds, Phil Dercole, is to be commended for his tireless efforts.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Report this