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Residents of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, South Palm Beach told not to drink tap water because of algae toxin

South Florida Sun Sentinel - 5/30/2021

More than 120,000 residents of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach were warned against drinking their tap water late Friday after toxins caused by blue-green algae were found in the water supply.

“We hope to be able to lift the advisory for vulnerable populations by the end of the week,” West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James said at a news conference Sunday.

The caution is aimed at children under 6, pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with pre-existing liver conditions, the elderly and those receiving dialysis treatment, who should turn to bottled water for drinking only until the toxins are cleared. Tap water may be used for bathing, washing dishes, cleaning and doing laundry.

Pets are also vulnerable to adverse health effects of cylindrospermopsin exposure, according to the news release.

Boiling the tap water will not destroy the toxins, the Department of Health alert notes. Anyone not among the groups listed can use the water to drink, bathe and cook, James said.

According to the mayor, water testing done on May 17, 24 and 25 showed high levels of the algae toxin cylindrospermopsin in the drinking water and well water. The levels tested above 0.7 micrograms per liter.

“We were not able to release an advisory to the public without the review and approval of the Florida Department of Health,” James said. “We did not receive this approval until late Friday night, moments before informing the public.

“We had not seen this before in all the testing we had done since 2016, and to our knowledge, nor has any surface water plant in the state as it is an unrelated contaminant that does not have a defined EPA rule.”

Dr. Poonam Kalkat, the city’s director of public utilities, said the city began proactively testing for the toxin in 2016 even though it was not a requirement at that time.

Kalkat said that low water levels in canals and lakes, due to lack of rain, combined with warm temperatures make conditions more conducive for algal blooms to grow.

Bottled water is being distributed through Monday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Gaines Park, 1501 Australian Ave.

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