NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — You’ve probably seen blue-green algae if you have ever been walking near a small body of water or a pond.

It can contain what’s called cyanotoxins, which can be harmful to people and animals.

Usually, the bacteria cause a rash or an upset stomach in humans. However, according to North Dakota State University, cyanobacteria is poisonous to nearly all livestock because it produces neuro and liver toxins.

That’s why environmental scientists urge farmers to be aware of the water source that their livestock drink from.

“People who observe these blooms on their stock ponds and water sources for their cattle which is another concern because they’re gonna ingest that water and risk having those effects as well. And people can have those water bodies tested actually through the NDSU extension laboratory,” said Emily Joynt, an environmental scientist for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

Blue-green algae is typically found from July to late September in warm climates.

The bacteria can often be found in bodies of water with high nutrient levels, coming from different kinds of waste.

“Something like failing septic systems along a lake it could be agriculture runoff it could be livestock runoff from grazing in different areas there’s a lot of different sources that it could be and that’s another thing that really feeds those types of blooms,” said Joynt.

If you are concerned about the safety of your water, you can contact the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality at (701) 328-5150.

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