Water-Related News

Low levels of toxins found in samples from Lake O

LAKE OKEECHOBEE – Low levels of toxins were detected in algal blooms on Lake Okeechobee and connecting waterways this week.

On July 7 and July 8, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) staff collected samples at Lake Okeechobee at the following stations. Cyanotoxin results are included in parentheses following each station name:

  • CLV10A 7.3 ppb (parts per billion);
  • LZ40 (5.3 ppb);
  • PALMOUT (non-detect);
  • PALMOUT1 (2.3 ppb);
  • PALMOUT2 (trace, 0.48 ppb);
  • PALMOUT3 (1.8 ppb);
  • LZ30 (trace, 0.79 ppb);
  • POLE3S (non-detect);
  • RITTAE2 (non-detect);
  • LZ25A (trace, 0.25 ppb);
  • L007 (trace, 0.26 ppb);
  • L006 (trace, 0.30 ppb);
  • PELBAY3 (non-detect);

Results from other sampling stations in the lake were still pending

Microcystis aeruginosa was the dominant taxon in all of the samples with microcystin levels greater than 1 ppb.

 

The World Health Organization considers levels above 1 ppb unsafe for drinking water, and levels above 8 ppb to be unsafe for human recreational contact (such as swimming).