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Large, Toxic Algal Bloom in
Lake Erie Occurring, Are We Prepared?
By Latia Leonard, Freshwater
Future
Guest Column
Flint
Michigan became synonymous with disaster after their water
source was switched. For nearly two years, residents of the
Midwest city of roughly 100,000 were unable to drink water
from their taps due to dangerously high levels of lead.
While it
is true that Flint currently reins as the poster child for
all things related to undrinkable water, the harsh reality
is millions of people across the Great Lakes region are
unable to safely drink their water.
Water is
essential and fundamental to the existence of basic life.
When
people think about ‘access’ to water, it’s natural for
people to assume reference to the water that comes out of
one’s tap. Even still, many people across the region, some
right in our own neighborhoods, are dealing with the effects
of water shutoffs. In the City of Detroit alone, its
estimated that more than 100,000 people have lost access to
water due to unaffordable water bills.
While
many civil rights activist, social advocates, and lawyers
seek remedies from the state to address ongoing water
shutoffs in Detroit, it’s important to understand
that water quality is closely related to water access.
In the
Great Lakes region, where water touches the eight
surrounding states, water is highly valuable for both
personal use, and its importance to the area’s economy.
A
recent study published by the Great Lakes Commission,
concluded that “for every dollar spent on GLRI projects from
2010 – 2016 will produce $3.35 in additional economic output
in the Great Lakes region through 2036.”
The
economic value of tourism and connection to water
accessibility can’t be understated. Family trips to the
beach, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing, provide some of the
most entertaining and family fun activities around the
region.
However,
even beaches aren’t always safe. The Michigan Department of
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, formerly known as MDEQ,
recently announced
several beach closings due to high levels of contamination.
When water
is deemed unsafe to drink, bathe, and play in, it causes an
immeasurable amount of harm and trauma in how children
experience water. As children, most people can recall the
bubble baths they shared with siblings, the slip & slides at
a local playground, or beach parties with friends. But
contaminated water does the opposite, it leaves scars.
Freshwater
Future, in partnership with The Junction Coalition of
Toledo, hosted a youth water camp in which youth, ages
11-19, canoed the Maumee River and received water policy
education around Algal Blooms in Lake Erie.
In
connecting the issues of Lake Erie to the rest of the
region, engagement activities centered around the living
organisms in the ecosystem, all of the Great Lakes, and most
importantly, the health and well-being of residents being
impacted by Algae.
Just
recently, several reports have surface that Algal Blooms are
returning with clear threats posed to public health and
safety. A public health advisory has been set by the Ohio
Department of Health, issuing a ‘Do Not Touch’ warning to
residents in the area.
Unfortunately, it’s not hard to imagine that in a short
amount of time following our youth water camp experience,
the very same Maumee River where our kids canoed with
Wilderness Inquiry is now shut down and deemed unsafe to
touch. All over the region, young people are exposed to
unseen dangers in their drinking water.
From the
ongoing water crisis in Flint, the
high
lead levels in Highland Park,
to now the ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS, our water stands to
harm the next generations if we do not act immediately.
Water issues such as lead exposure, have the ability to
cause permanent psychological and physiological damage to
children before they even reach adulthood. Over time, lead
eventually settles into a person’s bones, with possible
implications for pre-genetic exposure for children born to
mothers whom have been exposed to lead.
Algal
Blooms cause skin rashes, hives, and blisters. PFAS has been
closely linked to several health issues including cancer.
Our children take the brunt of that, especially when
exposure is occurring in the developmental stages of a
child’s life. Without knowing it, every drink of toxic water
for our most vulnerable, greatly endangers our child’s
future, and the generations thereafter.
These are
the exact public health dangers we need to be aware of so we
can work to prevent as much harm as possible. This Saturday
marks the fifth anniversary of the Toledo water crisis.
Algae Blooms, which caused the City of Toledo to shut down
its drinking water supply to protect public health in 2014,
are now back on the radar.
However,
this time we must be better prepared for an emergency. In
such a short amount of time, a public disaster can arise,
threatening hundreds of thousands in an area. It is
critically important to the public to have readily available
information so we can protect our families. Anything less
than clear and transparent communication to mitigate unsafe
drinking water is inexcusable. Not sure whom to contact in
the case of an emergency?
Our
partners at the Junction Coalition have a helpful tool to
use in this year’s algal bloom season. The Water Quality
Dashboard is simple and easy to understand, including who
your concerns should be addressed too. Contact your local
official today to gain the most up-to-date information
related to water quality in your community.
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