OGDEN, Utah, Sept. 8, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Weber-Morgan Health Department is warning the public about a potential toxic algae bloom near the 21st Street Pond in Ogden.

In a news release Friday late afternoon, the department said staff had tested the water earlier in the day, and preliminary results are positive for cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria form an algae bloom in water that can produce toxins hazardous to people, pets and other animals, the release states.

Water samples have been sent to the Utah State Division of Environmental

Quality for further testing.

As a precaution, signs are being posted at the entrance and along the trail near the pond, warning:

• Do not swim or water ski.

• Do not drink the water.

• Keep pets and other animals away.

• Use a separate water source to clean fish thoroughly.

• Avoid areas of scum when boating.

In the release, Michela Gladwell, director of environmental health at the Weber-Morgan Health Department, said, “This is a popular dog walking area in our community and we want residents and their pets to be safe while we complete our tests.”

Gladwell said results of the tests should be available early next week. For more information on algae blooms, see the Utah State Division of Environmental Quality’s Harmful Algae Bloom website and fact sheets at:

https://deq.utah.gov/Divisions/dwq/health-advisory/harmful-algal-blooms/