EPA 820-F-17-009
Example 1: Recreational water managers in California have proposed a 3-tiered approach to public health
postings, based on water quality testing results and corresponding CyanoHAB Trigger Levels for Human
Health. Signs contain information on how to keep people and animals safe from cyanotoxins at corresponding
cyanotoxin detection levels. The yellow caution sign is used to warn people that cyanobacteria and toxins may
be present. The orange warning sign and the red danger sign are used when cyanotoxins levels have been
confirmed. These signs are also available in Spanish (Caution/Precaucion, Warning/Advertencia, and
Danger/Peligro).
CAUTION
Harmful algae may be present in this water.
For your family's safety:
You can swim in this water,
but stay away from algae
and scum in the water.
Keep children away
from algae in the water or
on the shore.
For fish caught here, throw
away guts and clean fillets
with tap water or bottled
water before cooking.
Do not let pets and other
animals go into or drink the
water, or eat scum on the
shore.
Do not drink this water or use
it for cooking.
Do not eat shellfish from
this water.
Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet get sick after going in the water.
For information on harmful algae, go to mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/cyanohab_network
For local information, contact:
WARNING
Toxins from algae in this water can
harm people and kill animals
I No swimming*
(§)
(Stay away from scum, and
cloudy or discolored water.
Do not use this water for
drinking or cooking.
Boiling or filtering will not
make the water safe.
l Do not let pets or other animals
| go into or drink the water, or go
near the scum.
Do not eat shellfish from
this water.
For fish caught here, throw
away guts and clean fillets
with tap water or bottled water
before cooking.
For animals, the toxins ca
¦ Diarrhea, vomiting
* Convulsions arxi (Jivjth
For people, the toxins can cause:
•	Skin rashes, eye Irritation
•	Diai rhea. vomiting
Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet get sick after going in the water.
For information on harmful algae, go to mywaterc|uaMty.ca.gov/monltorlng council/cyanohab network
For local Information, contact:
DANGER
Toxins from algae in this water can
harm people and kill animals
Stay out of the water until further notice.
Do not touch scum in the water or on shore.
Do not let pets or other animals drink or go into the water or
go near the scum.
Do not eat fish or shellfish from this water.
Do not use this water for drinking or cooking.
Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
<$>
For animals, the toxins can cause:
•	Diarrhea, vomiting
•	Convulsions and cteath
For people, the toxins can cause:
•	Skin rashes, eye Irritation
•	Diarrhea, vomiting
Call your doctor or veterinarian If you or your pet get sick after going in the water.
For information on harmful algae, go to mywaterquallty.ca.gov/monltorlng council/cyanohab network
For local information, contact:

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