Algae Bloom in Shinn Pond Poses Threat to Human and Animal Health

The Alameda County Water District (ACWD) is asking the community to prevent their pets from having direct contact with, or ingesting the water from, Shinn Pond as it may be harmful to human and animal health as a result of a current algae bloom.

Signs noting the algae bloom and associated risks from contact have been posted near Shinn Pond.

ACWD is coordinating with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) on the continued monitoring of Shinn Pond and the algae bloom.

Although algae are ever-present in open water bodies, the presence of harmful algal blooms, locally and elsewhere, are a likely consequence of the continuing drought.

Shinn Pond is a key component of the facilities that ACWD uses to capture, divert and percolate water from Alameda Creek into the Niles Cone groundwater basin. Groundwater is an important part of the portfolio to meet the water supply needs of the 345,000 people ACWD serves.

The current conditions of Shinn Pond do not affect treated drinking water supplies and ACWD continues to meet or exceed all State and federal water quality standards.

For additional information, please contact Evan Buckland, ACWD Water Supply Supervisor at Evan.Buckland@acwd.com or 510.668.6539.

For additional information on EBRPD, please visit www.ebparks.org.