Residents of Pottawatomie County are advised that landowners in the area have observed the presence of blue-green algae in their privately-owned ponds.
Conditions may be favorable for other algae blooms to form in ponds on nearby properties, and this can be dangerous for both humans, livestock and pets.
If a landowner suspects that blue-green algae is present in a pond, the best thing to do is to stay out of the water, and to prevent livestock, pets and children from entering the infected water. This includes skin contact with the water, drinking affected water, or, in the case of animals, eating dried algae at the edges of a pond.
There are rapid test kits available that detect the presence of blue-green algae related toxins in the water. They are a yes/no test and are relatively low-cost and they take about 15 minutes to test.
Contact the Pottawatomie County Extension Office for more information at (785)-457-3319.
