Due to Blue-Green Algae, RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Johnson’s Pond

Due to Blue-Green Algae, RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Johnson’s Pond

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Flat River Reservoir (Johnson’s Pond) in Coventry due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom and associated toxins. The toxins can harm humans and animals.

DEM and the owners of the pond have been under criticism for the decrease in the water level. Those living around the pond including the homeowners association have warned about the adverse environmental issues.

In August, Senator. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) is vowing to pursue additional legislation to stop the owners of Johnson’s Pond from randomly lowering the water levels.

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According to Raptakis, the pond’s owner, Soscia Holdings LLC, has drained the pond to the point where docks are now over mud and homeowners say fish and turtles are dying.

“Soscia Holdings fails to act in good faith and continues to manipulate the current situation, affecting the residents of Johnson’s Pond and the entire community,” said Raptakis. “Soscia seems to be deliberately ruining things for local residents as a hardball negotiating tactic to get a new lease from the town. This brinksmanship has to stop.”

RIDOH said, “People should be careful not to ingest water or eat fish from the pond. All recreation, including fishing, boating, and kayaking, should be avoided. Animals who may ingest pond water are especially at risk from exposure to the algal toxins, so owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in the water. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.”

The Agencies Warn:

Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae commonly causes irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and/or throat. Common health effects associated with ingesting water containing algal toxins include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Rarer health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at particular risk for health effects associated with algal toxins. People who have had contact with pond waters and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

If you come into contact with the water, rinse your skin with clean water as soon as possible and, when you get home, take a shower and wash your clothes. Similarly, if your pet comes into contact with the water, immediately wash your pet with clean water. Do not let the animal lick its fur. Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning, including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water. People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

Blue-green algae blooms may also be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. People are advised to avoid contact with waterbodies that exhibit bright green coloration in the water or at the water surface and/or dense floating algal mats that form on the water's surface. The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese.