Middle Pond advisory lifted after tests show toxic algae bloom dissipated

SOUTHWICK — Despite a new algae bloom discovered on Monday on the Congamond Lakes Middle Pond, the town’s Board of Health director lifted the advisory Thursday afternoon for people to avoid using the waters of after tests showed the levels of a toxic algae bloom were now safe for humans and pets.

“Based on the [Department of Public Health’s] recommendation, it looks like the test results were so low, even though there was the more recent bloom that just popped up the other day, they still thought it would be acceptable to lift,” Health Director Tom Hibert said Thursday.