Reading the Water | Cyanobacteria Awareness in Orleans (S3, 14)

Cyanobacteria can turn a summer pond day into a health risk - and Orleans has people watching for it. Health & Human Services Director Alex Fitch breaks down how the town monitors its ponds all summer long, and public health intern Rowan Brennan shares how she spent her internship making sure that information actually reaches residents.What cyanobacteria is and why it shows up in Cape Cod pondsHow Orleans monitors pond conditions throughout the summerWhat to do if you spot something unusual in the waterHow Rowan researched other Cape Cod towns' communication strategies — and what Orleans adoptedNew resources built this summer to help residents check conditions before they head outPractical tips for a safe day at the pond