The City of Toledo, Ohio has posted an urgent notice for residents of Toledo and Lucas counties who receive water from the city: do not drink or touch the water. The water is contaminated with algal toxins that boiling cannot remove. In fact, boiling will increase the concentration of the toxins. This notice applies to ALL customers of Toledo water.
Water should not be consumed until the all clear is issued. Do not give this water to pets. Do not use the water for washing, showering, bathing, brushing teeth, making ice, preparing infant formula, or for cleaning. And do not use it to wash food. Filtration systems will not remove the toxins. In addition, restaurants and food facilities are being asked to temporarily suspend their operations unless they can guarantee no consumption of tap water.
Testing found microcystin from a “harmful algal bloom (HAB)” in excess of the recommended “DO NOT DRINK” levels of 1 micro-gram per liter. This situation occurs when excess nitrogen and phosphorous are present in lakes and streams. Those compounds come from over-fertilized fields and lawns, malfunctioning septic systems, and from livestock runoff.
This toxin can cause abnormal liver function, with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, numbness, and dizziness. If you have experienced these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, and if your pets or livestock show signs of illness, contact a veterinarian immediately. For more information, call 419-936-2020.
