THE Water Affairs and Forestry Department has warned people kliving near the Boschpoort Dam in North-West Province not to drink the dam water as it has been invaded by a toxic algae. Department spokesperson Zeth Setenane said the algae causes skin rashes, eye irritation, fever and vomiting. He said on Thursday that test samples from the dam revealed the presence of toxins which can cause long-term illness such as muscular and joint pain and indigestion, which could promote liver diseases. He added that livestock should also be preventeed from drinking the water. The algae is a seasonal phenomenon caused by nutrients from fecal pollution from informal settlements and sewage processing works. A similar warning was recently given in respect of Hartebeespoort Dam near Pretoria.