PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health is advising people and their pets not to swim in Pontoosuc Lake.
Recent algae test results have confirmed the presence of a blue-green algae bloom at Pontoosuc Lake that may present harmful health effects for users of the lake.
Health Director Andy Cambi said in a statement on Saturday morning that the water poses a risk for people and animals and that warning signs have been posted around the lake.
Do not swim.
Do not swallow water.
Keep animals away.
Rinse off after contact with water.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These microscopic organisms are components of the aquatic food chain. In ordinary circumstances, cyanobacteria cause no apparent harm.
However, warmer water temperatures and high nutrient concentrations may induce a rapid increase in their abundance. This response is commonly called a "bloom" because algal biomass increases to the extent that normally clear water becomes markedly turbid.
Harmful health effects from the bloom can result through skin contact with the algae tainted water, swallowing the water, and when airborne droplets are inhaled. Pets are especially prone to the health effects not only through skin contact, but also by ingesting significant amounts of the toxin by licking their wet fur after leaving the water.
To protect yourself and your family from any harmful effects of this blue-green algae bloom, residents and visitors are advised to avoid contacting water that has a noxious odor, appears green throughout (sometimes referred to as looking like pea soup), or that has mats, films or scums accumulating on the surface.
Until further notice avoid these high-risk activities:
Any contact with the water including swimming, diving, playing, or wading
Drinking, or allowing animals to drink the water
Water sports, e.g. water skiing, wake boarding, wind surfing, jet skiing, tubing
Other activities that pose a moderate risk to health include:
Fish consumption
Canoeing, rowing, sailing and kayaking, paddle boarding
Motor boating
The health outcomes of concern are:
Irritations of the skin, eyes or ears
Gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea
Muscle cramps
In extreme cases, nerve or liver problems
If you or your pet accidentally come in contact with algae tainted water then thoroughly rinse off with clean water.
If you experience any of the symptoms of blue-green algae exposure (listed above) contact your health care provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If your pet experiences symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Regular monitoring of lake conditions will occur moving forward until bloom dissipates. The community will be notified of the bloom dissipation at that time. The rescinding of the public health advisory will only occur after two successive samples, collected a week apart, demonstrate cell counts or toxin levels below the state guideline values.
For more information or questions, contact the Pittsfield Health Department at 413-499-9411.
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Dalton Library Trustees Navigate How to Spend State Aid
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The library trustees navigated the best way to spend the state aid during their meeting on Monday evening.
This year, the library received $19,928.23 from state aid, which has to be used to improve the library and the patron experience.
The library receives two state aid disbursements every year. The amounts vary annually based on population and other factors.
Library Director Janet Forest said she is interested in having the library invest in a screen and a projector.
This would be a meaningful addition to the library that numerous library programs can utilize. At the moment, the library has a portable projector and screen. This purchase would allow the library to do more screenings and presentations.
Trustee Leo Quiles said this is a great idea and opens up the possibility of more programming, such as screenings of Academy shorts, which the Berkshire Museum does in its theater.
Forest agreed and said she had communicated with a librarian at the Becket Library, which has an adult movie night. The librarian informed her that libraries must have the right to screen films by paying a licensing fee.
The Pittsfield baseball team Saturday rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie and went on to a 12-5 win over Clinton in the quarter-finals of the Division 4 State Tournament. click for more
The senior class at Pittsfield High School has elected Frankielys Payano De La Cruz, Abigail Malumphy, Brooke Tripicco to speak at graduation this Sunday, June 9, at 4 p.m. click for more
Mayor Peter Marchetti said these courts are a great addition to our outdoor recreation landscape and we hope we could do more in the future.
click for more