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We monitor for two health concerns in popular Utah lakes, reservoirs, and rivers
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
can produce dangerous toxins that pose serious health risks to humans, pets, and livestock.
Waterborne pathogens (E. coli)
can make humans sick.
These blooms develop when naturally occurring cyanobacteria in the water multiply very quickly to form green or blue-green water, scum, or mats.
They are introduced to a water body through fecal contamination and can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Monitoring
Locations
Health
Watch
Warning
Advisory
Danger
Advisory
Note: This map provides current data on harmful algal blooms AND/OR waterborne pathogens. DWQ does not monitor all the sites on the map for both.
What is an Advisory?
Local health departments issue advisories when waterborne pathogens (E. coli) or harmful algal blooms (HABs) at the water body are dangerous for human and animal health.
There are three different levels: Health Watch, Warning Advisory, and Danger Advisory.
If you are visiting a water body under an advisory, be careful and choose only safe activities.
What is a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)?
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae or harmful algae, aren’t actually algae. Rather, they are aquatic bacteria that photosynthesize like a plant.
Cyanobacteria naturally live in every water body in the world. A HAB, or harmful algal bloom, occurs when cyanobacteria multiply quickly to form a “bloom” or visible colonies of millions of cells. Sometimes the cyanobacteria that form these blooms can produce toxins which cause illness and can damage the human kidney, liver, or neurologic system. Pets and livestock are more likely to drink water and be hurt by these toxins.
Know What to Look For:
If You Suspect A Harmful Algal Bloom
Every Time You Recreate In Water
What are the Health Effects of Harmful Algae?
HABs can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illnesses, and in some cases permanent organ damage or death. You can be exposed to the harmful effects of cyanobacteria by:
Getting them on your skin while swimming or wading.
Drinking contaminated water.
Inhaling airborne toxins while boating, jet-skiing or water-skiing.
In the event you or your pet comes into contact with a HAB, rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible. Remove yourself from the source of exposure and contact the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) at (800) 222-1222. UPCC physicians, pharmacists, and nurses trained in toxicology can answer your questions and advise you on the need for further medical or veterinary treatment.
People or animals who are exposed to cyanotoxins may experience the following symptoms:
Direct Skin Contact or Inhalation:
Ingestion:
Check for these symptoms in your pet after potential exposure:
Children & HABs
Children may be at greater risk for infection than adults from toxins produced by HABs.
Children are more likely to drink recreational water or swallow it accidentally because they are thirsty or swallow it accidentally. Children also weigh less, so a smaller quantity of toxin may trigger even more of an adverse effect than in adults.
Pets & HABs
Pets are more sensitive to cyanotoxins than humans.
Animals may consume large quantities of cyanobacteria if they drink the water, and are more likely to become very ill or die. Dogs are particularly susceptible because scums can attach to their coats and be swallowed during self-cleaning.
Toxins from HABs can enter drinking water supplies.
Blooms may occur in waterfowl hunting season.
What Causes HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS?
Conditions that lead to HABs are most common in the late summer and early fall. These include:
If these conditions are present for several days, cyanobacteria can multiply to form large blooms that can cover an entire lake or collect in smaller areas. Blooms generally die and disappear after one or two weeks.
If conditions remain favorable, overlapping blooms can occur over the course of several months, giving the appearance of one continuous bloom. Algal toxins can linger for days after a bloom has dissipated, and depending on the type of cyanobacteria present, can even increase as toxins are released from dying cells.
How Can I Help Stop Harmful Algal Blooms?
Excess nutrients, particularly phosphorus, in water bodies can trigger algal blooms. Discharges from wastewater treatment plants, runoff from agricultural operations, and stormwater runoff can carry nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways and promote the growth of cyanobacteria.
You can do your part to improve water quality!
Reduce the amount of fertilizer used on your lawn.
Use only phosphorus-free dishwasher detergent.
Use only phosphorus-free fertilizer when possible.
Keep yard debris from washing into storm drains.
Fix leaking septic systems.
Pick up pet waste.
Reducing nutrient loads to waters is the best way to limit the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Please visit DWQ’s Nutrient Reduction page for more information on Utah’s efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in our waters.
We also rely on community members to help us spot developing HABs. Join the HAB Squad to assist in monitoring a waterbody near you!
What are Waterborne Pathogens (E. coli)?
Waterborne pathogens are bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make people sick. These waterborne pathogens can cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, fever, and rashes. Escherichia coli (or E. coli for short) is used to measure how likely it is that waterborne pathogens are in recreational water. People are at risk for infection when they swallow water with high levels of E. coli or eat food after exposure without washing their hands.
Every Time You Recreate in Water
How can I tell if there are waterborne pathogens?
It is not possible to tell if the water is contaminated by waterborne pathogens just by looking at it. Make sure to check current conditions for the latest monitoring results.
Is E. coli in water dangerous?
The Division of Water Quality and local health departments use the bacteria E. coli as an “indicator organism.” High levels of E. coli indicate fecal (or poop) contamination and a high probability that illness-causing waterborne pathogens are present.
Health Impacts
Recreational activities such as swimming, tubing, water skiing, paddle boarding, and water play increase risk of exposure to waterborne pathogens that can make people sick.
Common symptoms of exposure
What causes waterborne pathogens?
Fecal waste, or poop, is responsible for most of the waterborne pathogens found in recreational waters. Fecal waste can enter surface waters from a number of sources, including:
Recreational water illnesses can be caused by bacteria such as shigella and E. coli, viruses such as norovirus, and parasites such as cryptosporidium and giardia. Symptoms may appear immediately, but some may occur one to two weeks after exposure.
Contact the Utah Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or a physician if experiencing an illness that may be related to recreating in untreated surface water.
How Can I Help Prevent Waterborne Pathogens?
Preventing fecal contamination is the best way to limit the occurrence of waterborne pathogens. You can do your part to improve water quality by taking the following steps:
Don’t swim while experiencing diarrhea or within two weeks of having diarrhea.
Shower with soap and clean water before swimming.
Visit the bathroom before going into the water.
Take children for frequent bathroom breaks and diaper changes. Don’t change diapers near the water.
Fix leaking septic systems.
Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly.
Stormwater Detention Ponds and Irrigation Canals
You should never swim in urban or suburban ponds or irrigation canals. These waters accumulate bacteria, chemicals, and fecal material and can cause serious illness.
Some stormwater ponds are monitored and sampled for waterborne pathogens, stocked with fish, and may even include boat ramps. The public should avoid them anyway–they are not designed for recreational use.
HABs and waterborne pathogens pose a threat to Utah’s water-based recreation, culinary water supplies, aquatic ecosystems, and agricultural and residential (secondary) irrigation uses. Multiple agencies manage and protect these uses and users. DEQ has worked with its partners to help response agencies develop health advisory guidance and response plans.
Advisory Guidance
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and DWQ have prepared Recreational Health Advisory Guidance for local health departments.
Drinking Water
A number of drinking water sources in Utah are vulnerable to HABs. Learn more and check water conditions with these resources.
Agriculture
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has developed a Response Plan to inform, educate, and engage with agricultural producers when water-quality issues arise from HABs.
Other Resources
DEQ has compiled a list of additional HABs resources for response agencies, including general information on HABs, EPA guidance documents, important publications, and other useful resources.
Dr. Hannah Bonner
Recreational Health Advisory
Program Coordinator
We’re Here to Help!
We post conditions on this website as soon as we have new updates. Have a question that isn’t answered here? Hannah, our program coordinator, is happy to talk with you.