Grand Forks Public Health warns pubic of harmful algae blooms

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – With water temperatures beginning to increase across the region, Grand Forks Public Health is reminding people to keep an eye out for harmful algae blooms.

These blooms, sometimes called blue-green algae, produce cyanotoxins which can cause skin irritation, and potentially liver failure if ingested by people or animals.

They are caused by an increase of nitrogen and other nutrients in the water. While they can be removed once they develop, there are also ways that you can help to keep them from blooming in the first place.

“It can come from fertilizer from fertilizing your lawn or agricultural runoff. So once it’s identified, they have to be mechanically removed, or let a natural process go through the natural cycle essentially.” Jake Anderson said.

Anderson says that if you discover a harmful algae bloom, you should contact your local public health department or the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.