Stafford County, Va. — The beach has reopened following an outbreak of harmful algae, but swimmers are still urged to stay away from water that appears to be filled with blue-green algae.
Health officials closed Aquia Landing Beach on July 29 after harmful blue-green algae was found in at the confluence of Aquia Creek and Potomac River. The toxic algae that contain microcystins are harmful to humans and can be deadly to pets if ingested, health officials said.
There have been no reported cases of anyone becoming sick after coming in contact with the water.
Virginia Department of Health officials tested the water twice more after closing the beach and did not detect the harmful bacteria, and added that algal cell counts are much lower than they were when the algae was first discovered.
Officials say the bacteria are commonplace in waters in the Potomac Communities.
Aquia Landing Park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. now through Oct. 31, and from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between Nov. 1 and mid March.
