Right now, tests for blue-green algae registered an alarming 53 parts per billion of microcystin at Canal Point, just north of the Pahokee Marina along Lake Okeechobee. 

This is UNACCEPTABLE. These toxic blooms are more than an eyesore—they pose a serious threat to public health, our environment, and the local economy. Per EPA standards, at 8 parts per billion, the algae is at a hazardous level. The water in Lake Okeechobee now is more than 6 times too TOXIC for human contact. This is a threat to public health and the water should be avoided. 

It’s important to remember: you can’t tell whether blue-green algae are producing toxins just by looking at a bloom.
That’s why the advice is simple—don’t swim in or drink water where algae is present.

There’s no visible way to know if a bloom is toxic. That means adults, children, and pets should avoid contact with the water any time an algal bloom is suspected. Toxins can remain in the water even after the bloom has subsided, so stay alert for signs like green scum along the shoreline. If you spot a potential bloom, you can report it here.

For decades, our community has felt the devastating impacts of toxic water—we’ve made significant progress in our fight to clean up Florida’s waterways, but we still have a long way to go. That’s why I’ll continue to push for legislation like the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act, the Stop Poisoning Florida Act, and the PROTECT Florida Act. The battle for clean water is 24-7, 365 days per year and I promise to keep up the fight.