The blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures the region enjoyed over the long weekend aren’t just making lawns and gardens grow—they’re also contributing to algae blooms.

An algae bloom is the visible appearance of millions of tiny plant-like organisms in the water. It can look like spilled oil, paint or sewage.

Blooms are common during sunny weather and some produce toxins that can make people sick, particularly young children and elderly people. Pets can die after drinking water with a toxic algae bloom.

Other types of blooms might not be toxic but can pose environmental concerns. When algae die, they sink and decay, stripping oxygen from the water that aquatic life depends on for survival.

Blooms have occurred recently in Anderson Lake and Lake Leland in Jefferson County, and in Waughop Lake in Pierce County, as well as in parts of Hood Canal and Puget Sound.

Algae blooms are fed by “nutrients,” substances containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus that come from various natural and human sources including wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, groundwater, rivers, fertilizers and polluted water runoff. To help keep nutrients out of waterways:

•  Reduce the use of lawn and garden fertilizers and avoid overwatering.
•  Wash your vehicle at a commercial car wash to keep soap out of storm drains.
•  Scoop, bag and trash pet waste.
•  Check, fix and maintain septic tanks.
•  Keep dirty diapers out of water.
•  Use low or no-phosphate dish soaps, especially if you live on a lake and use a home septic system.

The Washington Department of Ecology and other jurisdictions are monitoring the blooms. To report any suspected spills or algae blooms, call 800-OILS-911. For more information on keeping Washington’s waters clean, check out Ecology’s water education website.