Walterville Pond ban lifted

HEALTH ADVISORY LIFTED FOR WALTERVILLE POND

OCTOBER 2, 2014: Reduced blue-green algae levels confirmed

The Oregon Health Authority has lifted a health advisory issued August 5 for Walterville Pond, located off Oregon Route 126, five miles east of Springfield. The pond is next to the Eugene Water and Electric Board's Walterville Canal, a half-mile northeast of the town of Walterville.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae and their toxins. These reduced levels are not likely to be harmful to humans and animals. Oregon health officials advise people who use Oregon water bodies for recreation to always be alert to signs of algae blooms. People and their pets should avoid contact if the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish red in color, or if a thick mat of algae with an unpleasant odor is visible in the water.

For local information about water quality or blue-green algae sampling, contact EWEB at 541-685-7471. For health information, to report human or pet illnesses due to blooms, or to ask questions about a news release, contact the Oregon Health Authority at 971-673-0400. Also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or visit the Harmful Algae Blooms website at www.healthoregon.org/hab and select "Algae Bloom Advisories," for information regarding advisories issued or lifted for the season.