Blue-green algae bloom detected in Sawgrass Lakes community

Published on August 26, 2025

The City of Port St. Lucie has been monitoring a fish kill in the Sawgrass Lakes Stormwater Management Tract and test results confirmed the presence of blue-green algae.

Out of an abundance of caution, the City recommends residents in the Sawgrass Lakes neighborhood take precautions to avoid contact with water from the stormwater management tract. While test results show blue-green algae is present, further testing will need to take place to determine if it is producing toxins.

After analyzing samples from Sawgrass Lakes, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) believes low dissolved oxygen levels in the water are the likely cause of the fish kill. The FWC noted that algae, summer temperatures and other factors could have contributed to low dissolved oxygen levels and the algae bloom.

The nature of the stormwater tract and existing environmental conditions added to stagnant water, contributed to forming of algae bloom. This event occurred naturally and the City is following the proper steps to report and test.

The City began investigating the fish kill when it was reported Aug. 14. The City has not initiated herbicide spraying in this area since 2022 and the Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department confirmed that no reclaimed water, wastewater or chemicals have been released into the stormwater management tract.

Several comprehensive water quality tests were collected and sent to independent laboratories. The City also has coordinated with FWC and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and sent fish for testing to the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  

If the algae is producing toxins, exposure could have health impacts on people and pets, including:

• Rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
• Respiratory irritation
• Pets can become sick if they eat blue-green algae or ingest the water

More information on blue-green algae is available on the Florida Department of Health website.