The runoff from agriculture is a key source of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients allowing the algae to thrive during times of warm temperatures and plentiful sunlight on the relatively shallow western portion of the Great Lake.
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In previous years, the water system operators only sampled the water if an algae bloom was spotted near a water plant.
Two beaches along the shore of Lake Erie, Getty’s Beach and Pier Road Beach, were closed Thursday due to a blue-green algae bloom, according to the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit.
Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced earlier this month that models show this summer could be one of the most severe for harmful algal blooms on western Lake Erie. Swallowing contaminated water in small quantities could result in: headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
“I would recommend if the water is green don’t swim in it and don’t let your pets in it, as it can cause skin irritation and stomach upset in dogs”, said the scientist in a phone interview with CBC.
“That really brought a lot of attention onto our blue-green algae program”, said Vermont state Toxicologist Sarah Vose, who works for the health department.
Officials in Toledo say they are doing daily water testing for the risky toxin that led to a water crisis in the region a year ago that left some Monroe County residents without water for days. “There have been a lot of blooms in a lot of places. It’s not a surprise given the rains that we had in June”.
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Chuck Campbell, Toledo’s commissioner of water treatment, said new monitoring devices have helped detections occur much earlier today than it could have during the crisis last August.
