Lake Waushakum To Be Treated Today

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FRAMINGHAM – A contractor for the City is treating Lake Waushakum today, June 28,

“A recent sample showed elevated levels of cyanobacteria,” according to the City.

“Per the Mayor’s initiative to address water quality at Framingham’s beaches” the City “will be treating Waushakum with a copper algaecide” as a “preventative measure to avoid a cyanobacteria bloom that could be harmful to human/animal health.”

Framingham notified Ashland of the treatment and the Waushakum Pond Association.

A sign was expected to go up at the beach today, June 28.

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According to the State “Cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) occur naturally in freshwater, but under certain conditions they can multiply quickly, creating a highly concentrated area known as an algae bloom. Algae blooms can be harmful to humans and animals. Some harmful cyanobacteria produce toxins (known as cyanotoxins) that are dangerous at very low levels in surface waterbodies. These harmful algae blooms (HABs) may occur at any time in Massachusetts, but are most common in late summer and early fall.”

Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

Pet and livestock illness/deaths can happen if animals consume large amounts of water containing blooms, scums or benthic mats.

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