We find this unacceptable and we are calling out our Department of Environmental Protection to fix this problem.
We lived in Tampa from 1963 to 2003 and again since 2019 to present and this is the first time that we recall that there has been a health warning because of algae pollution in the Hillsborough River.
This is not necessary and the solution is simple– don’t over-pump this river and don’t allow harmful nutrients into it.
You don’t need studies nor companies from Israel to come and fix it, just fix it yourself with your resources you have. It was not this way in 1963 and it should not be this way in 2022.
This river belongs to the citizens of Florida and we demand that it be protected.
Read the original article here at WTSP.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
FDOH issues harmful blue-green algae alert for Hillsborough River
TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is cautioning people to not drink, swim or boat in the Hillsborough River after a blue-green algae bloom alert was issued for the river on Tuesday.
Anyone who has come in contact with the bloom at the river, located north of Morris Bridge Road and west of I-75, is encouraged to wash their skin and clothing with soap and water, FDOH said in a news release. Also, people are asked to keep pets away from the river as the algae blooms are not safe for animals, health officials say. …
Blue-green algae blooms can be harmful to ecosystems and people, including fish and other aquatic animals, FDOH says.
Other cautions provided by FDOH are to not cook or clean dishes that are contaminated by the water from algae blooms and boiling water will not get rid of the toxins. Also, eating healthy fish that are caught in the Hillsborough River is safe as long as people rinse fish fillets with bottled or tap water, throw out the guts and cook the fish well. However, shellfish from the river should not be eaten.
Below are agencies to contact if you or someone else comes across blue-green algae and if an animal gets contaminated.
- To report a bloom to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, call 855-305-3903
- To report fish kills, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-800-636-0511
- If you are experiencing symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin, contact the Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222 and speak with a poison specialist immediately
- If your pet has become ill after being contaminated or has consumed blue-green algae water, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- For any health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, call the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at 813-307-8000
