An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: USF Water Institute

Water-Related News

Pasco County’s Lake Blanton still affected by blue-green algae

Fla. DOH logo

Mar. 26, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to a water sample taken on March 21, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake.

See recommended precautions below. Link below for full text of the Health Alert.


Previous notices below:

Mar. 15, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to  a water sample taken on March 11, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake. 

Feb. 19, 2024

PASCO COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Blanton Lake. This is in response to a water sample taken on February 13, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Blanton Lake. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae bloomsare present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

For updates, visit the Florida DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Blue-green algae was first observed in Lake Blanton in September 2023.