Red Jacket beach closes before holiday

PENN YAN--A waterfront notification closing the Red Jacket beach in Penn Yan was posted Wednesday, July 3. The sign read: 'BEACH CLOSED-No swimming or wading-A blue-green algae bloom that can make you sick is in the beach area."
Last year in August, and also in 2017, Red Jacket and Indian Pines' swimming areas were closed in early August due to algal blooms.
"Swimming or ingesting water that has blue-green algal blooms can be hazardous to your health due to the potential for toxins that can be created in the blooms, according to the Department of Health's website. These toxins are harmful to skin and other body organs for people, pets or other animals. Avoiding the water until after the blooms are gone and cleared by environmental officials is always recommended.
Always stay away from blooms in surface waters.
• Don't swim, fish, boat, or wade in areas with blooms.
• Don't eat fish caught from areas with blooms.
• Rinse with clean water if you, your family or pets have contact with blooms.
If you are not on a public water supply and are using surface water:
• Bloom or no bloom, never drink, prepare food, or make ice with untreated surface water. You may also consider not using it for washing, especially if it looks cloudy.
• During a bloom, don't drink, prepare food, or make ice with surface water, even if you treat the water yourself.
• Boiling water will not remove blue-green algae or their toxins.