WSSC Water issued a warning to people who may have come into contact with T. Howard Duckett Reservoir water after detecting high concentrations of blue-green algae.
Water officials call the algae, also known as Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), harmful. A health advisory warns residents HABs can lead to adverse health effects. The reservoir serves as a drinking water source for WSSC Water and a recreational area, which remains open.
According to WSSC’s advisory drinking water remains unaffected and is safe to consume. As a precaution, WSSC Water will continue to closely monitor water quality conditions. The on-going Health Advisory for the Triadelphia Reservoir also remains in effect.
If you are someone visiting the reservoir you should:
- Avoid all recreational water contact. If water contact occurs, rinse off immediately with clean water.
- Do not allow pets to swim in or drink the water (prohibited at all times by WSSC Water watershed regulations).
- Do not consume fish livers or digestive organs from fish caught in the reservoir. If you catch a fish in the reservoir, wash the filets thoroughly with drinking water.
- Signs will be posted throughout the reservoir’s recreational areas to inform visitors of this water contact health advisory.
If you, your pet, or someone you know has come in contact with or ingested water at the reservoir, call your local health department.
