TOLEDO, Ohio – About 400,000 people in and around Ohio’s fourth-largest city are being warned not to drink or use its water after tests revealed the presence of a toxin possibly related to algae on Lake Erie.
Gov. John Kasich has declared a state of emergency for Lucas, Wood and Fulton counties, allowing the state to support local authorities.
Toledo officials issued the warning early Saturday, setting off a frenzied hunt for bottled water and bags of ice all over northwest Ohio.
Many stores had been emptied of water within a few hours as people lined up and bought carts full of water.
Toledo issued the warning after tests at one treatment plant showed two sample readings for microcystin above the standard for consumption.
Residents are being told not to boil the water because it will only increase the toxin’s concentration. Consuming the tainted water could result in vomiting, diarrhea and other problems.
City of Toledo officials have found evidence of an algae contaminant in the public water system and have advised residents not to drink the water.
Recommendations for residents who receive water service through the Toledo water system:
· Do not drink the water. Alternative water should be used for drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth and preparing food.
· Do not boil the water. Boiling the water will not destroy the contaminants.
· Do not let pets or livestock drink the water.
· Do not let children bathe in the water since they may accidently ingest it.
· Hand washing is allowed.
· Showering is allowed for adults.
The contaminant Microcystin is a product of blue-green algae and is naturally found in Ohio lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams. Agricultural runoff and overflowing sewers are frequently the causes of harmful algae blooms