Swimmers returned to Jamesville Beach this weekend after harmful algal blooms forced the Onondaga County beach to close for five days during a hot stretch of summer.
The beach reopened Friday after follow-up testing confirmed the water was safe for swimming. Just days earlier, routine water testing detected harmful algal blooms, leaving the shoreline empty as officials closed the beach to protect public health.
Harmful algal blooms form when algae grows rapidly and toxic species develop. Exposure to contaminated water can make people sick and can be deadly for pets…