West Reservoir Tests Positive For Cyanobacteria

 HARWICH – The conservation department has issued a public health advisory for a harmful algal bloom in West Reservoir. It’s the second pond advisory for cyanobacteria algae blooms in the past three weeks.

The Association to Preserve Cape Cod monitoring program reported a cyanobacteria bloom in Buck’s Pond on June 18. The advisory remains in place.  

 Conservation Administrator Amy Usowski wrote in an email on July 3 that her department examined four ponds and discovered a bloom in progress at West Reservoir. According to the advisory, the waters are unsafe for people and pets and swimming, jet ski activity or boating are not recommended. People should avoid swallowing the water, consuming fish from the pond, and should keep animals away from the water. People should wash off after contact with the water.   

Usowski said Buck’s Pond was improving but there were still significant concentrations of algae earlier in the week, so the advisory would remain in place and additional tests would be conducted. 

“If it goes well, by the end of the week we can lift the advisory,” Usowski wrote in the email. 

 While in the area, Usowski said she also looked at John Joseph’s Pond, and it looked fine. She also said while examining the West Reservoir she also looked at the public beach at Sand Pond and it was clear. 

 As for West Reservoir, she said samples were taken on the Bell’s Neck Road side and a good concentration of the dolichospermum bacteria was found, thus the advisory was issued.

 On Monday assistant conservation agent Lily Gooding said Natural Resources Department Director Stephanie Sykes was conducting tests and they would continue to monitor conditions this week.

Advisory signs will remain in place during that period, Gooding said. 

Cyanobacteria warnings are in place for many other area ponds. Visit apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria/ for an interactive map showing where warnings are in place