Toxic algae bloom growing in Lake Erie

WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7

2 Aug 201902:51

Summary

TLDRConcerns are rising over a hazardous algae bloom in Lake Erie, which contains toxins that can sicken humans and pets. The bloom, visible from 50 miles away, is part of an ongoing environmental disaster affecting water sources for hundreds of thousands. As the fifth anniversary of a similar crisis approaches, the cost of clean drinking water increases due to necessary treatment plant upgrades. Research and maintenance are crucial to address this issue, which also impacts tourism and local economies.

Takeaways

🌿 **Algal Bloom Concern**: There is growing concern about a massive algae bloom in Lake Erie that contains hazardous toxins.
📅 **Anniversary of Crisis**: This news coincides with the fifth anniversary of a poisonous algae bloom that led to a drinking water crisis.
🚣 **Extent of Bloom**: The algae bloom extends 50 miles and poses a threat to boats, fish, and drinking water sources.
🧪 **Toxins in Water**: The algae contain toxins that can make humans and pets sick.
🌊 **Environmental Disaster**: The algae bloom is considered the largest environmental disaster in the United States currently.
💧 **Water Treatment Costs**: The process of making drinking water safe from the toxins is costly and requires constant upgrades to treatment plants.
🔬 **Research and Maintenance**: Ongoing research and maintenance of sensors are crucial to monitor and address the algae bloom issue.
💸 **Economic Impact**: The algae bloom leads to significant financial losses due to decreased tourism and the need for costly water treatment.
🏠 **Community Impact**: Even those not living near Lake Erie are affected as tax dollars are used to fund solutions to the problem.
🌐 **Regional Significance**: The issue is not confined to local residents; it affects the entire region and requires a collective effort to resolve.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding Lake Erie mentioned in the script?
-The main concern is the massive algae bloom covering part of Lake Erie, which contains a hazardous toxin.
What anniversary is being marked this weekend according to the script?
-This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the poisonous algae bloom that sparked a drinking water crisis in Monroe.
How far does the algae bloom extend in Lake Erie?
-The algae bloom extends 50 miles in Lake Erie.
What are the potential health risks associated with the algae bloom?
-The algae bloom contains toxins that can make people and their pets sick.
Where does the water from Lake Erie supply?
-The water from Lake Erie is used for drinking water, boating, fishing, and other activities.
What does the script describe the harmful algal bloom as?
-The script describes the harmful algal bloom as a slow-moving tornado that ravages the lake every year.
What is the status of the current algae bloom compared to previous ones?
-The script suggests that this year's algae bloom is not the worst it can get, implying that it has been worse in the past.
What measures are being taken to deal with the toxins in the water?
-Water treatment plants are working to get rid of toxins, and research is being conducted to stay ahead of the problem.
What is the economic impact of the algae bloom on the region?
-The algae bloom leads to millions of dollars in losses annually due to the decline in tourism.
How does the script suggest that the public can help address the issue?
-The script implies that tax dollars are needed to fund solutions, including upgrades to treatment plants and research.
What is the role of the buoys with sensors mentioned in the script?
-The buoys with sensors are used to track the algae bloom and remind us of the need for a fix.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Growing Concerns Over Lake Erie Algae Bloom

The script discusses the increasing worry regarding a hazardous algae bloom in Lake Erie, which contains a toxin that can sicken humans and pets. This bloom is particularly concerning as it coincides with the fifth anniversary of a similar event that led to a drinking water crisis in Monroe. The reporter, Matthew Smith, is at the scene, highlighting the extent of the bloom, which spans 50 miles. He emphasizes the bloom's proximity to water intake points that serve hundreds of thousands, underscoring the potential health risks. The script also touches on the economic impact, with tourism suffering due to the unsightly green algae, and the financial burden on taxpayers to address the issue, including the need for constant upgrades to water treatment facilities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Algal Bloom

An algal bloom refers to a rapid increase in the population of algae in a water system, often resulting in a visible green or blue-green hue on the water's surface. In the video, this harmful bloom is growing in Lake Erie, causing environmental and public health concerns. It relates to the video’s main theme of water safety, as it poses a risk to drinking water and local ecosystems.

💡Toxins

Toxins are harmful substances produced by certain algae in the bloom, which can be dangerous to both humans and animals. The video highlights how these toxins make the water unsafe for consumption and recreation. The jar of water in the video contains toxins that can cause illness, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

💡Lake Erie

Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes, and the location of the growing algal bloom discussed in the video. The lake is a crucial water source for many, which makes the bloom’s toxins a serious threat to public health. The lake’s role in providing drinking water and its susceptibility to environmental threats ties directly to the video’s focus on water safety and environmental protection.

💡Water Crisis

A water crisis occurs when a community’s access to clean and safe drinking water is compromised. The video references a previous crisis caused by a similar algal bloom five years ago, emphasizing how the current situation in Lake Erie could lead to another public health emergency if not addressed properly.

💡Tourism

Tourism refers to the activity of traveling for leisure, and the video mentions the economic loss due to decreased tourism in the Lake Erie region. The algal bloom discourages visitors from coming to the lake, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue annually. This highlights the broader economic impact of environmental issues.

💡Water Treatment Plant

A water treatment plant is a facility that processes water to remove contaminants, making it safe for public use. In the video, the Monroe water treatment plant is shown as an example of how these facilities work harder and spend more money to ensure safe drinking water in the face of toxic algal blooms.

💡Research Boat

The research boat is used by scientists to study the algal bloom up close and assess its impact on the lake’s ecosystem and water quality. The video shows researchers on this boat, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to monitor and understand the extent of the environmental issue in Lake Erie.

💡Environmental Disaster

An environmental disaster refers to significant damage to the environment, often with harmful effects on human populations and wildlife. The video describes the Lake Erie algal bloom as the largest environmental disaster in the U.S., highlighting the widespread and severe consequences of the bloom for both the local ecosystem and human health.

💡Buoys with Sensors

Buoys with sensors are floating devices equipped with technology to monitor water conditions, such as temperature and toxin levels. In the video, scientists maintain these buoys to track the development of the algal bloom in real-time, helping to predict and mitigate the bloom's impact on water quality.

💡State Dollars

State dollars refer to the public funds allocated by the government to address issues like the algal bloom. The video notes that tax dollars are used to combat the bloom and maintain clean drinking water, illustrating the broader financial implications for citizens, even those who don’t live near the lake.

Highlights

Concern is growing about a dangerous algae bloom in Lake Erie that contains a hazardous toxin.

The algae bloom has now expanded to cover a significant portion of Lake Erie, extending over 50 miles.

This bloom is toxic and can make humans and pets sick if exposed to it.

The bloom is affecting a critical area from which many people get their drinking water.

The algal bloom is characterized by a bluish-green color, appearing different from the usual lake surface.

The harmful algae stretches nearly 20 feet down into the lake, creating serious environmental concerns.

This marks one of the largest environmental disasters currently in the United States.

The algal bloom impacts tourism in the area, costing the region millions of dollars every year.

Despite this, the current algae bloom is not as severe as it can get, indicating the problem can worsen further.

Scientists on-site emphasize the importance of continued research and tracking through buoy sensors placed in the lake.

Water treatment plants in the region must continually upgrade their systems to ensure safe drinking water.

The treatment process is costly, increasing the financial burden on local municipalities and taxpayers.

State and federal dollars are required to manage this ongoing environmental and public health crisis.

Scientists argue that more action is needed beyond just reactive measures to fully address the issue.

The toxic algae has broader consequences for the local ecosystem, affecting wildlife like fish and birds.