           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM, HEALTH, LIFT EARLIER ADVISORY FOR TEN MILE RIVER AND ITS IMPOUNDMENTS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health (HEALTH) announce that recent test results have led them to lift a temporary advisory issued in September regarding contact with water from the Ten Mile River including its impoundments, Turner Reservoir and Omega Pond. The river originates in Massachusetts and forms the boundary between Massachusetts and Rhode Island along the northern half of East Providence and Seekonk.In September, a dense algae bloom turned the waters of Turner Reservoir a bright green color. Laboratory results from tests on water samples taken at that time found high levels of the naturally occurring algal toxin, Microcystin. The levels, which exceeded 25,000 micrograms per liter, were significantly above the guideline of 40 micrograms per liter from the World Health Organization. Since Microcystin can still be present in elevated levels for a time even after the end of a bloom, DEM conducted additional sampling on November 23. Those test results showed Microcystin at only 0.2 micrograms per liter, well below the health threshold. High levels of Microcystin in water causes serious damage to the liver when the water is used as a water supply, or when water is swallowed repeatedly during swimming or other recreational activities. Pets can suffer similar affects, but with smaller quantities of water. Microcystis is an algae that grows naturally on the surface of many waterbodies. Under certain conditions, such as warm weather and an abundance of nutrients in the water, the algae may undergo an explosive type of growth that results in dense, floating mats of algae, commonly referred to as an algae bloom. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer