Health officials say that the toxins level in Lake Erie has come down but more than 400,000 people are still left without drinking water in the city of Toledo, Ohio.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, Toledo residents received a warning message from city officials to refrain from drinking tap water. Residents were also asked not to give tap water to their pets and use it for cooking. The lack of tap water has led restaurants in the city to close down. Parents have been asked to monitor their children if they take a bath from the tap water.
The city of Toledo issued a notice on its website, which says that the water supplied to the city by Lake Erie was contaminated with toxins. The warning suggested that residents should not boil the water as it will increase the level of toxins in water.
"Lake Erie, which is a source of drinking water for the Toledo water system may have been impacted by a harmful algal bloom (HAB). These organisms are capable of producing a number of toxins that may pose a risk to human and animal health. HABs occur when excess nitrogen and phosphorus are present in lakes and streams. Such nutrients can come from runoff of over-fertilized fields and lawns, from malfunctioning septic systems and from livestock pens," explains the warning issued on the city's website.
The health warning suggests that consuming contaminated water may result in dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and may also affect the liver. People should consult their healthcare professional if they show any of these symptoms. If pets and livestock are ill then owners should contact a veterinarian immediately.
Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins says that the toxin level is improving, but federal officials are still testing samples to give a green signal for the city to confirm if the water is safe for drinking. Toledo residents are not panicking and seem to be calm with the ongoing contaminated tap water issue.
Investigations suggest that fertilizers from farms and sewage from treatment plants flowed into Lake Erie, which distributes water to the city of Toledo and other nearby areas. The fertilizers and sewage flow in the lake resulted in an algae bloom very near to the intake valve, which sends water to Toledo and its nearby areas.
Collin O'Mara of the National Wildlife Federation says that the problem may just be the tip of the iceberg even though federal officials are working hard to fix it. Affected residents will hope that they are able to use tap water, which is a basic necessity, as soon as possible.
