Framingham issues health advisory for Lake Waushakum algae bloom

The City of Framingham announced Oct. 26 a public health advisory for Lake Waushakum due to a potential harmful algae bloom.

Based on photographs of the water, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health indicated that cyanobacteria levels may exceed state health guidelines and recommended the advisory. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can multiply quickly and sometimes produce toxins that can sicken people and animals. Affected water may look bright green, cloudy, or like pea soup or paint, with a visible scum on the surface, though appearance alone cannot confirm whether toxins are present.

The city is advising residents to avoid all contact with the water at Lake Waushakum until further notice. That means no swimming or wading, no drinking the water, and keeping pets and other animals away from the water and shoreline. Anyone who comes into contact with the water should rinse thoroughly with clean tap or bottled water, and anyone, human or pet, who swallows the water or develops symptoms afterward should contact a health care provider or veterinarian. Possible effects include gastrointestinal illness and skin or eye irritation, with children and pets considered especially vulnerable.

The city is following state health department guidance on the advisory and water testing. The state can test the water at no cost to the municipality once the bloom is no longer visibly present, but the advisory cannot be lifted until two rounds of sampling, taken a week apart, both show results below state guideline levels. Residents are encouraged to follow posted warning signs and stay out of the water even if the visible bloom disappears, since toxins can remain after a bloom is no longer visible.

More information on cyanobacteria is available through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's guidelines for recreational freshwater locations. Residents can also follow city updates through its website, social media channels, its Sunday newsletter, or its NotifyMe alert system.

Source: City of Framingham announcement, October 29, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.