Residents Advised To Avoid Contact With Triadelphia Reservoir Water

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — WSSC Water has issued a recreational water contact health advisory for Triadelphia Reservoir due to high concentrations of blue-green algae, known as harmful algal blooms. This advisory will remain in effect for at least one month.

Harmful algal blooms can produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Triadelphia Reservoir, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery and Howard counties, serves as a drinking water source for WSSC Water and a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating.

WSSC Water’s drinking water is not affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards, WSSC said.

As a precaution, WSSC Water will continue to closely monitor water quality conditions at its Patuxent Water Filtration Plant.

The WSSC reminded residents of the following:

• Recreation areas remain open.
• Boating and fishing are allowed.
• Cyanobacteria and their toxins can cause skin irritation and rashes. Any body part that comes in contact with reservoir water should be rinsed with drinking water.
• Do not consume fish livers or digestive organs from fish caught in the reservoir. If you catch a fish in the reservoir, wash the fillets thoroughly with drinking water.
• Do not allow pets to swim in or drink the water (prohibited at all times by WSSC Water watershed regulations).

The water contact health advisory issued July 21 for the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir remains in effect, WSSC Water said. There also are high concentrations of blue-green algae there, as well. This advisory will be in place for at least one month.

If you, your pet or someone you know has come in contact with or ingested water at the reservoir, call the appropriate county office from the following list:

• Prince George’s County: 301-883-4748 (Prince George’s County 311)
• Howard County: 410-313-1773 (Environmental Health Department)
• Montgomery County: 240-777-0311 (Montgomery County 311)