Toledo water crisis: IJC Lake Erie report a template for solving toxic algal blooms that shut down region’s water system

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The International Joint Commission (IJC) today expressed empathy for Toledo area residents affected by water contamination caused by toxins from excessive algae growth in Lake Erie. The IJC reiterated its call for action on reducing nutrient loading that contributes to the hazard.

The problem – toxic algal blooms fueled by excessive agricultural fertilizer runoff and urban sources – was detailed in an IJC report released earlier this year, A Balanced Diet for Lake Erie: Reducing Phosphorus Loadings and Harmful Algal Blooms. The report includes 16 recommendations to reduce nutrient loading into Lake Erie and its tributaries.

"Our thoughts are with those in Northwest Ohio struggling to restore safe drinking water to homes and businesses," said Lana Pollack, U.S. Chair of the IJC. "This is a teachable moment, however, for policymakers across the region. It is more clear than ever that we must take aggressive action to curtail the algae growth that caused, or at least contributed to, this crisis."

The IJC’s report and recommendations are among its efforts to provide advice to the U.S. and Canadian governments on how to fulfill the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and make the Great Lakes more fishable, swimmable and drinkable.

Gordon Walker, Acting Chair of the Canadian Section of the IJC, whose family roots are on the shores of Lake Erie, said, "We’ve been here before, in the 1970s, when strong protections for Lake Erie helped restore it to health. The IJC is confident that with timely action, this growing algae problem can be solved before more incidents like this one occur."

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The International Joint Commission is an independent bi-national organization created by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to investigate and recommend solutions to shared boundary and shared water issues between the United States and Canada.

Contact:

Hugh McDiarmid Jr.: 248-660-4300

* Note: An earlier version of this release incorrectly referred to Northeast Ohio.

* Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that the report had been sent to governments.   - See more at: http://www.ijc.org/en_/blog/2014/01/07/great_lakes_are_one_big_basin_hpab_report/#sthash.wiVFIwAU.dpuf