Lake Cochituate Toxic Algae Advisory Still In Effect

WAYLAND, MA — It's still not safe to go swimming in Lake Cochituate.

The Wayland Health Department this week issued a reminder that the town beach is still closed after state officials detected a potentially harmful blue-green algae bloom on July 14. The algae may contain cyanobacteria, which is toxic for humans and pets, including contact with skin.

The algae was also detected in other parts of the lake that touch Framingham and Natick, according to health officials. Those areas are known as Middle Pond and South Pond.

Blue-green algae blooms occur naturally in fresh water, but the algae can multiply quickly under certain conditions — including when there are excess nutrients washed into bodies of water.

"Specific factors behind each bloom vary because every waterbody is different," according to a state fact sheet. "However, two of the most common factors are phosphorus and nitrogen, which are found in fertilizers and human/animal waste.

Since 2007, toxic algae blooms have caused over 100 human illnesses, and killed 38 dogs across the nation, according to the state.

You can check the status of toxic algae blooms at freshwater sites around Massachusetts on the state website.