For Immediate Release: 8/14/2023 9:22 am
UPDATE: Due to today’s rain, the contractor will not treat Indian Lake for cyanobacteria. The lake will re-open today and be treated at a future date.
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester Department of Sustainability and Resilience has hired contractors to apply a treatment of the algicide copper sulfate to Indian Lake on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
This is a preventative treatment, and there is currently no threat of harmful algae exposure. The day of the treatment, all persons are advised to stay out of the water, discontinue boat use and fishing, and keep their pets out of the water. All persons are advised to discontinue using water from Indian Lake for irrigation of plants or lawns or watering livestock. Beaches will be posted prior to the application. It is planned to reopen the lake the following day.
Copper sulfate is a safe and effective way to control the growth of harmful, toxin-producing algae. The application of these products is a common practice to maintain a healthy lake and poses minimal risk to humans and animals after application is complete. This application has been approved by the Worcester Conservation Commission.
For more information on toxin-producing algae (i.e. cyanobacteria) please see our video series “The Blue Space Minute” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZL9RMDapJc.
