FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2017
DEP AND
DOH REMIND FLORIDA RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO BE MINDFUL OF POTENTIAL SUMMERTIME
ALGAL BLOOMS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health are encouraging
residents and visitors to be mindful during summertime recreational activities
as the season’s high temperatures, abundant sunlight and frequent rainstorms
annually increase the presence of algal blooms in certain Florida waterbodies.
Individuals should avoid contact with algae and can report algal blooms using
DEP’s toll-free hotline (855-305-3903)
and online at (www.reportalgalbloom.com). Currently there are
no health advisories or any reason to believe the health of residents has been
impacted.
State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip said
“The health and safety of Florida families is DOH’s number one priority. It is important
to avoid coming into contact with any algae and we do not recommend swimming or
fishing in areas where algae is seen. We will continue to work with DEP to keep
residents, visitors and local officials updated.”
DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said “DEP encourages residents
and visitors to immediately report algal blooms to help us respond as
quickly and efficiently as possible. Florida is a national leader in responding
to and managing algal blooms. We are committed to working with state and local
agencies to ensure the health of Floridians, visitors and our natural
resources."
DEP and Florida’s water management districts frequently monitor Florida’s
water quality and routinely collect algal bloom samples as soon as they are
observed to identify algal type and test for toxicity. In addition,
staff are deployed to take additional samples in response to reported blooms – whether
from a citizen, other response team agencies or other sources. To keep
residents and visitors informed of the latest algal bloom monitoring results
and activities, DEP has a website where it posts the dates and locations
of samples collected. Test results are added as they become available. Persistent
blooms are routinely monitored and retested.
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