The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County has issued an alert due to the presence of heavy blue-green algal toxins found in Florida waterways.
According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the toxins were found in water samples taken.
Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria is that is common in freshwater found in Florida. It can be found year-round but is more frequent in the summer and fall.

The DOH has issued the blue-green algae bloom alert for more than a dozen areas throughout Lake Okeechobee.

Click here for the specific regions of the lake where toxic algae blooms have been found.

People are advised to:
Avoid drinking, swimming, wading or using personal watercraft in waters with algae blooms.
Wash your skin and clothing if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
Keep pets away from the area.
Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated with algal blooms.
Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook well.
Do not eat shellfish in waters with algal blooms.

PUBLIC UTILITY DRINKING WATER IS NOT AFFECTED

To report a bloom, call the Department of Environmental Protection at 855-305-3903 or click here.