Bactericidal products are your best defense against toxic algae. Last year there were unprecedented numbers of cyanobacteria outbreaks around the Western U.S. So this year, Utah water officials are gearing up early for toxic algae season. They’ve asked for two new part-time workers to just monitor 19 reservoirs and lakes at risk for cyanobacteria. They also want more money to respond to toxic algae outbreaks. The cost for these additions—$123,000.
Also known as blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, toxic algae is a growing problem around the West. Water managers in the region are scrambling for solutions to this massive problem, which can harm humans and animals. So what is toxic algae and what causes it? And is there a solution?
What’s Toxic Algae?
Though it’s called toxic algae or blue-green algae, it’s not algae. Toxic algae is really cyanobacteria. But it photosynthesizes like algae, and produces dense mats in the water. It usually blooms in fresh water—lakes, ponds, and reservoirs—but can be found in marine and estuarine waters.
Unlike regular, non-toxic algae, some cyanobacteria is toxic and some isn’t. And scientists don’t understand what triggers toxin production in cyanobacteria. But recent studies show the chance that a cyanobacteria bloom is toxic is between 45 and 75 percent. So if you see blue-green looking goo floating in the water or washing ashore, you need to stay away.
Symptoms of Exposure
Though there are no confirmed cases of humans who died from exposure to toxic algae, it causes health problems. Symptoms of cyanobacteria exposure in humans includes:
- stomach pains
- diarrhea
- rashes
- vomiting
People who drink water containing cyanobacteria may have nerve and liver damage. Animals and fish die from exposure to toxic algae.
Why is it There?
Toxic algae ends up blooming in lakes, reservoirs and ponds because of a simple equation: nutrients + heat + stagnant water. Whether you subscribe to the theory of climate change or not, summer temperatures are higher around the West. And that hike causes water temperatures to rise. Research shows that cyanobacteria blooms when water temperatures reach 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm water combining with runoff carrying phosphorus and other nutrients into stagnant water, has meant more cyanobacterial blooms.
What Can You Do?
As a water treatment plant manager in the West, you may not have the money to hire part-time water monitors. Or add more than $100,000 to your water treatment budget. So you’ll just have to close lakes and reservoirs during cyanobacterial blooms. Or hope you don’t have added nutrients going into your water this year, right? No! We have the bactericidal product that will eliminate your toxic algae problem. We’ve proven over and over that we’re the experts in killing cyanobacteria, in both coagulation and bactericidal methods.
Our revolutionary copper sulfate algaecide sits in the water column and doesn’t precipitate out, so it keeps working. That means you’ll need less of it, and need to treat your water less often. Plus, it’s safe for humans, animals, and fish, so you won’t risk hurting anyone or anything.
Toxic algae—aka cyanobacteria or blue-green algae—produces dense mats in water and sometimes builds up on shorelines. But it’s not really algae. It is the natural result of nutrients, heat, and stagnant water. And experts predict that summer 2017 will be another record year for cyanobacteria around the West. So don’t be caught scrambling when it hits. Call our experts today to get started with a bactericidal or coagulation solution.
