Concerns of a blue green algae problem are spreading just like the algae itself this summer in West Palm Beach.
Earlier this month, residents of Palm Beach County and local West Palm movers spotted blue green algae in their waterways. A no-swim advisory would remain in effect until the Department of Environmental Protection can test the water and give the all-clear, and people can get back to enjoying the beach this summer in West Palm.
Residents claimed the algae problem had brought an awful stench with it on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, leaving hundreds of people with cancelled beach plans that Monday.
According to the Florida Department of Environment Protection, this type of blue green algae usually develops in lakes that have high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. The scorching hot temperatures down South don’t help much either. In fact, the temperatures actually increase the algae problem, allowing it to bloom.
If you were wondering what beaches have been affected and how to avoid it this summer after moving to West Palm, the beaches in Martin, St. Lucie, Lee and Palm Beach counties have all seen the blue green algae.
The problem is, the algae can kill sea grass and small animals, like crabs. In some cases, the side effects of being exposed to the algae for humans are nausea, respiratory issues, diarrhea, and vomiting.
The reason the algae came to its being was because earlier in the year, the Army Corps of Engineers started dumping toxic water from Lake Okeechobee into the ocean. This then led to the current environmental crisis.
Although the beaches are open and safe to swim in, residents must be aware of the consequences if exposed to the blue green algae problem this summer in West Palm.