Green Algae Blooms
(KANSAS) (westernkansasnews.com) – State officials are hoping for the best but planning for the worst when it comes to blue-green algae, a toxic substance that can greatly limit the use of state lakes and reservoirs during the summer. Last year the algae was particularly bad, affecting 38 Kansas lakes.
Contact with the algae made 13 people ill and killed five dogs last year, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The blooms also cost water departments thousands of dollars to get the algae, and its odor, removed from drinking water.
$1.1 million in supplemental funding has been requested in from Gov. Sam Brownback to help with this issue.
