Milton beach advisory lifted in time for warm weekend

Milton Beach was opened back up after Thursday's cyanobacteria tests came back negative. (Courtesy photo)

MILTON - A Town Beach health advisory for cyanobacteria has been lifted after three water samples that were tested Thursday came back all clear.

The beach had tested positive for cyanobacteria toxins on June 16, and advisories were put up the next day urging people to avoid contact with the algal blooms, which can contain toxins that result in serious health issues.

Rec Director Karen Brown expressed relief on the retesting results, noting that this weekend is expected to be very warm.

Swimmers often mistake pollen for cyanobacteria, but generally, pollen will be more yellow and cyanobacteria more green.

Cyanobacteria is often caused by fecal material like dog droppings leaching into the lake from shore, as well as many fertilizers or even septic system failures near the shoreline.

Some cyanobacteria algal blooms contain high levels of toxins, while others may contain little, health officials state.

Just short-term contact can lead to skin and mucous membrane irritations, health officials say.