The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is warning residents that harmful algal blooms – or HABS – are present in several Utah waterbodies.
According to the Utah DEQ website, HABS are cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae or harmful algae, but they aren’t actually algae. Rather, they are aquatic bacteria that photosynthesize like a plant.
Cyanobacteria naturally live in every water body in the world. A HAB, or harmful algal bloom, occurs when cyanobacteria multiply quickly to form a “bloom” or visible colonies of millions of cells. Sometimes the cyanobacteria that form these blooms can produce toxins which cause illness and can damage the human kidney, liver, or neurologic system. Pets and livestock are more likely to drink water and be hurt by these toxins.
The DEQ website has numerous photos of the different types of HABs, as well as an interactive map that can be found here. As seen in the screenshot below, clicking on the blue circles, hazard signs, or thick colored lines will bring up more information about what sorts of recreational activities are safe in each location, as well as a link for more information.
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If you suspect a harmful algal bloom (see photos at link above):
- Don’t swim in water that appears to have a bloom.
- Don’t boat, tube, water ski, or jet-ski on scummy water. These activities can cause toxins to become airborne, increasing the likelihood you will inhale them.
- Don’t let children play with scum in the water or near the shore.
- Don’t let pets or livestock swim in or drink from scummy waters.
- Take photos of what you see and call (801) 536-4123 to report a bloom.
- When in doubt, stay out.
Every time you recreate in waterbodies:
- Check water body conditions at habs.utah.gov.
- Never drink or swallow water when swimming. It may contain bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins that could cause illness.
- Shower after coming into contact with recreational water.
- Rinse animals immediately if they swim in recreational water.
- Wash hands with clean water before eating or preparing food.
- Clean fish well and discard guts.
- Boiling or filtering water will not remove toxins. Boiling may actually release more toxins.
- Wash dishes with clean water only.
- When in doubt, stay out.
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