Water in Sedgwick County lake isn’t safe for people or pets. Here’s why
State officials said Friday that the water in western Sedgwick County’s Lake Afton isn’t currently safe for people or animals due to toxic algae growth.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a blue-green algae warning for the lake on Friday after receiving reports of algae blooms.
“A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure,” the KDHE said in a news release.
The water isn’t safe for people, pets or livestock to swallow or drink and shouldn’t be touched because it can cause illness — and in some cases death. The KDHE says people should make sure their pets don’t eat any dried algae, either, and that only the filet portion of fish caught from the lake may be consumed — but only after rinsing it well with clean water. Any areas of the lake with a visible accumulation of algae should be avoided entirely.
If you do touch lake water, officials say you should wash with clean water as soon as possible.
The KDHE investigates bodies of water accessible to the public for blue-green algae when it receives reports. Blooms can develop and spread rapidly, according to the KDHE.
Usually, harmful algae blooms are monitored from April through the end of October, during the water recreation season, the KDHE says. There are three advisory levels: hazard, warning and watch. A “hazard” advisory is issued when a harmful bloom is present and extreme enough to prompt a closure. A warning is issued when a bloom is expected or present and water should be avoided. A watch is issued when a harmful bloom is possible and may be present.
You can check for advisories at www.kdhe.ks.gov/777/Harmful-Algal-Blooms.
Lake Afton is at 25513 W. 39th St. South, west of Wichita and south of Goddard.
