New Fairfield town park on Candlewood Lake is closed again today because of blue green algae, which can emit toxins harmful to people and pets.  Officials tested the water again today . Executive Director of the candlewood lake Authority Larry Marsicano says there's a lot of variables that create blue green algae which can have high toxin levels.

Marsicano says blue-green algae occurs naturally in lakes and ponds, especially when temperatures are high and phosphorus levels rise because of storm water runoff.  The swim area at Kettletown State Park was closed for more than a week last summer because of blue green algae.  Beach closures in the Greater Danbury area haven't been as long as the one at Kettletown.

Marsicano checked New Milford, and lifeguards at other town parks are checking the transparency levels.  He says that is a surrogate measurement of how much algae is in the water.

People exposed to the toxins by ingesting, inhaling or coming into contact with the algae have experienced irritation of the skin and respiratory tract; vomiting; and, if large amounts of the toxins are ingested, ailments of the liver or nervous system.