Residents and visitors advised to avoid contact with discolored or foul-smelling water as testing for toxins is underway.
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) is alerting the public to the presence of a blue-green algae bloom at Thomas Lake – Center as of September 10, 2025.
While water sample testing is in progress to determine if toxins are present, officials are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution and avoid the water.
Blue-green algae, a type of bacteria common in Florida’s freshwater environments, can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. Blooms, which are often discolored and can have an unpleasant odor, occur when the bacteria grow rapidly, often forming floating mats or scum on the water’s surface…