CAYUGA CO. -- You may notice something fishy in Owasco Lake. The Cayuga County Health Department says it's found blue-green algae in the lake. This is the first time it's been definitively identified in Owasco Lake.

Last month, the health department started getting calls from people concerned about algae on both the east and west sides of the northern portion of Owasco Lake and along the outlet. People were calling to report algae at the surface of the water, casting a green color that looked like paint.

The health department sent samples of the algae to the state health department to find out what it was. It turns out, it's blue-green algae. That's concerning to health officials because it it produces toxins that could pose a health risk to people and animals when they're exposed to it in large quantities. Health officials are particularly concerned about the what could happen if you swallow it while swimming or if it comes in contact with your skin.

Health officials say consumer water with high levels of blue-green algae could affect the liver or nervous system of people, animals, pets and livestock.

Direct contact or breathing airborne droplets containing high levels of blue-green algae toxins during swimming or showering can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat and inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Perhaps you may be concerned about your drinking water and what, if any, effect this will have on that. Health officials tell CNY Central that drinking water treated by the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco is not a concern because their treatment processes remove the algae and their toxin from the water.

The good news is that thanks to colder water temperatures, it's unlikely that the blooms will happen again this year. But if they pop up again next year, the Cayuga County Health Department has several tips you should follow:

1. Homeowners who draw water directly from Owasco Lake, or any surface water, for household use should never drink the untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present. Untreated surface water may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites that all could cause illness. Consuming water with high levels of algae can cause additional health problems. In-home treatment units do not protect people from the toxins.

2. Do not let your pet drink water experiencing blue-green algae blooms.

3. People and pets should not swim in surface water that is discolored with blue-green algae. If contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.

4. Avoid bathing, showering, or washing dishes in untreated surface water that is experiencing an algae bloom.

5. Boiling water does not remove the toxins.

6. People should suspect that blue-green algae could be present in surface water that is visibly discolored or that has surface scums. Swimming, bathing or showering with water not visibly affected by a blue-green algae bloom is not expected to cause health effects.

If you still have questions or concerns, call the Environmental Health Division of the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1405 or click here.