Algae treatment falls short in test

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A test treatment has not been completely effective against a cause of the toxic algae that led to warnings and a decline in tourism at a major Ohio lake this summer.

Aluminum sulfate, or alum, spread over test areas appeared to have no impact on phosphorous at one site in Grand Lake St. Marys, The Columbus Dispatch reported Friday. The phosphorous levels in the water were reduced by 50 percent to 60 percent at two other sites.

Grand Lake St. Marys, midway between Toledo and Dayton in western Ohio, is one of the state’s most- polluted lakes because of run-off of manure and fertilizer from nearby farms. Phosphorous is found in manure and chemical fertilizers and fosters the harmful blue-green algae.

The 13,000-acre lake is used for recreation and drinking water. Its watershed covers more than 59,000 acres.

A report by environmental consultant Tetra Tech Inc. said the alum should have lowered the phosphorus levels at all three sites more significantly. It recommended more testing in the spring.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency released the treatment findings Thursday.

Officials from the agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told The Dispatch they want to meet next week on the findings before deciding what to do next.