Wake Forest pond closed after sewer leak causes toxic algae bloom

The Town of Wake Forest closed access to Joyner Park Pond on Friday after detecting a dangerous red algae bloom.

In a news release, the town’s public affairs director said that an investigation found a leak from a sewer line caused the contamination.

Exposure to red algae can make people and pets sick, so park visitors are currently prohibited from fishing in the pond or allowing their pets to swim in or drink from it. Access to the pond’s adjacent trail is closed as well.

Stormwater Utility Manager Nick Nolte said Raleigh officials cleared the blockage that caused the leak around 1 a.m. on Saturday, but they still aren’t certain when they will be able to reopen the pond.

Nolte said algae blooms are caused by excess nutrients in water.

“When there’s a lot of oxygen in that water as well, a lot of sunlight, warm weather, it creates kind of the perfect conditions for them to bloom,” he said.

These blooms are toxic to humans and animals, Nolte said.

Town officials advised visitors to contact a veterinarian immediately if their dog has been around an algae bloom and begins vomiting, staggering, drooling or convulsing.