Caution: That’s not spilled paint, that’s an algal bloom in your lake! Some blue-green algal blooms contain harmful toxins that can make you and your pets sick. Avoid contact with algal blooms and don’t let your pets drink the water. The Lake County Health Department (LCHD) has confirmed that the white/bluish/green substance in several lakes in the Chain are blue-green algae and tests indicated that no or very low level of toxins are present. However, this can change over time. LCHD will be monitoring the situation over the next week. If you have questions about the blue-green algal bloom in your lake, please contact us at 847-377-8020.
Illinois Department of Public Health:
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/habs
Illinois EPA:
http://epa.illinois.gov/topics/water-quality/monitoring/algal-bloom/index
