Health & Fitness
Lake Cochituate Toxic Algae Advisory Lifted
An advisory was in place at Lake Cochituate for more than two weeks after harmful blue-green algae was found in the water.
WAYLAND, MA — It's a little late in the season for swimming, but health officials have lifted a toxic algae advisory covering Lake Cochituate. That means it's safe for people and pets to interact with the water.
The lake has been under an advisory since Sept. 26, when state Department of Public Health officials measured blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, above acceptable levels. The threshold for an advisory is 70,000 cyanobacteria cells per milliliter of water.
On Oct. 3, water tests showed cyanobacteria levels at 26,000 cells per milliliter of water. A second test on Oct. 9 found levels down to about 17,000 cells. The state needs to see two consecutive tests below the 70,000 threshold before an advisory can be lifted.
Find out what's happening in Waylandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Blue-green algae typically blooms during the summer, but can last into autumn. The pea-soup looking blooms cause skin irritation, and can do internal damage to humans and pets if inhaled or swallowed. In rare cases, cyanobacteria can cause organ failure and death.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
