WSSC Water Lifts Recreational Water Contact Health Advisory for T. Howard Duckett Reservoir; Remains in Effect For Triadelphia Reservoir

WSSC Water lifted the recreational water contact health advisory for the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir, which was issued earlier this summer due to high levels of blue-green algae. The end of the health advisory follows two consecutive weeks of extensive monitoring and testing showing algal concentrations and potential toxins well below advisory thresholds. Recreational users can safely resume allowable activities at the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir only. The contact health advisory remains in effect for the Triadelphia Reservoir.  

The Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett reservoirs, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery, Prince George’s & Howard counties, serve as drinking water sources for WSSC Water and as a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating. It is important to note that WSSC Water’s drinking water was not affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) is a type of naturally occurring bacteria that can be present in water bodies, particularly lakes and reservoirs. These are known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) because some of them can produce harmful chemicals (called cyanotoxins) that cause adverse health effects if ingested or from coming in contact with skin. HABs tend to increase during spring and summer, as the water temperature warms up. WSSC Water closely monitors these algal activities in our Potomac River and Rocky Gorge Reservoir as it is used as a drinking water source for Patuxent Water Filtration Plant (WFP) as well as for recreational purposes.

Additionally, other naturally occurring seasonal algae can give the water an earthy or musty taste and odor. Do not be alarmed, these are not harmful algae. We carefully monitor water temperature, oxygen levels, and HABs levels to watch for such activity.

For up-to-date information on watershed activities, please call our hotline at (301) 206-4386 (4FUN). Permitting and regulation details can be found.

Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps