Bacteria Infecting Lake Cochituate; Unsafe For People & Pets

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The following is a press release.

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Framingham – The Framingham Public Health Department is cautioning the public that the water in the North Pond section of Lake Cochituate, including Saxonville Beach, is unsafe for people and pets due to a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom.

Visual observations provided by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) indicate the presence of cyanobacteria cells in the North Pond of Lake Cochituate. This evidence suggests that the level of cyanobacteria in the water may exceed the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health (MDPH) guidelines for recreational water bodies in Massachusetts.

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Accordingly, the Framingham Public Health Department issues this public health advisory to warn individuals against contact with the water.

The water in the lake is unsafe for swimming, drinking, and contact by people and pets.

The MDPH will conduct follow-up sampling at the waterbody when there is no longer visual evidence of
a bloom. For more information, please contact the MDPH at (617) 624-5757. Additional information
about algae can be found at www.mass.gov/dph/algae.