Water pollution, cyanobacteria, by blooming blue-green algae is a public health and environmental problem. (istock)
Since fall officially began, Sept. 22, the departments of Health and Environmental Management have issued no-contact advisories for nine Rhode Island waterbodies.
People and their pets are/were advised to avoid the ponds and reservoirs because of cyanobacteria blooms. Also known as blue-green algae, this bacteria is naturally present in waterbodies, but under certain conditions will form harmful algae blooms. Swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking are ill-advised when these blooms emerge, as they can produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals…