Saturday, August 2, 2014

Lake Algae in the News Again

Toledo warns residents not to drink city water:
Ohio's fourth-largest city has warned residents not to consume its water after tests revealed the presence of a toxin possibly related to algae on Lake Erie.
Toledo issued the warning early Saturday. It said tests at one treatment plant returned two sample readings for microsystin above the standard for consumption.
The city warned against boiling because it will only increase the toxin's concentration. The advisory covers city residents and those in Lucas County served by the city's water supply.
The city's advisory says Lake Erie may have been affected by a bloom of harmful algae that produces the toxin. Consuming the tainted water could result in vomiting, diarrhea and other problems.
Ag pollution in the Maumee River basin has previously been fingered as one of the leading causes of algae blooms in the western basin of Lake Erie.  Any news like this puts additional pressure on farmers, and rightfully so. This "do not drink" advisory is reported to affect 400,000 residents.

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