Nevada officials offer water safety tips and resources to combat harmful algal blooms

NEVADA (KTNV) — The summer months see an increase in water recreation activities across the state, and as temperatures rise, the Nevada Department of Agriculture is offering safety tips and resources to protect Nevadans from harmful algal blooms, or HABs.

Not all algal blooms are harmful, but some, according to the Nevada HAB Task Force, can produce toxins that are dangerous to humans and animals.

“Symptoms of exposure can include skin irritation, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems and can be fatal to dogs and other pets,” the department said. “In Nevada, the harmful algae bloom season typically occurs between June and October.”

According to the ministry, cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) occur naturally in surface waters and are important to aquatic ecosystems. However, specific environmental conditions such as high nutrients, warm temperatures and stagnant water can cause algae to bloom and increase the risk of them becoming harmful.

According to the HAB working group, toxins from algal blooms are not easy to detect without proper testing.

The Nevada Bureau of Epidemiology’s HAB Tracker is a resource for Nevadans to check for known algal bloom advisories.

Additionally, the HAB Task Force shared these tips for staying safe:

• Learn how to identify a potential harmful algae bloom. Blooms are often identifiable by a “scum” or discoloration on the surface of the water. More details on identification can be found here.
• If you suspect a HAB, avoid it.
• Keep pets and children away from suspected HABs.
• Monitor pets’ water sources and contact a veterinarian if they show signs of illness.
• Report suspected HABs along with a photo to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Biological Assessment and Monitoring Branch by emailing [email protected].