Officials in Ohio are planning to ratchet up their algae removal initiative in an important lake in the state, according to a published report.

Lawmakers in Ohio have increasingly sought to address the continued growth of blue green algae blooms in water sources throughout the state. In an effort to more effectively fight the spread of the harmful algae blooms, officials are planning to begin a chemical treatment of Lake St. Mary's this spring.

Lake St. Mary's is the largest inland lake in Ohio. It serves as an important economic growth engine in the Buckeye State, with local residents and tourists routinely visiting the waterway each year. Officials fear, however, that the growth of blue green algae blooms in the lake could potentially hurt economic productivity, affecting job growth.

The Associated Press reports the state is set to treat all 13,000 acres of Lake St. Mary's with aluminum sulfate beginning April 1. Aluminum sulfate uses vary, but it is routinely employed to help reduce phosphorous and nitrogen concentrations in water sources. A rise in phosphorous and nitrogen in Lake St. Mary's over the past few years has helped promote the growth of blue green algae blooms, and officials said the treatment program would likely slow their spread.

Phosphorous levels in Lake St. Mary's have been fueled by, among other causes, agricultural runoff and manure. Farms located near the lake routinely use fertilizers that contain chemicals such as phosphorous. Though they are not harmful to the environment when they are used safely, during heavy rains they are swept away from farms, eventually flowing into Lake St. Mary's and other bodies of water throughout the state.

Officials have had to close Lake St. Mary's over the past few years because of high levels of blue green algae blooms, according to the AP. Authorities said they hoped this year's aluminum sulfate water treatment program, which starts two months earlier than last year's campaign, would help disrupt the growth of the algae blooms.

"We are committed to improving the water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys," Ohio Department of Natural Resources director James Zehringer said.

Ohio will reportedly pay a total of $5 million for the algae treatment of Grand Lake. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency only treated the center of the lake with alum last year, which was less expensive.

Posted on March 27th, 2012 under Agricultural Runoff, Lake and Pond Algae Control, Wastewater News, Water Regulations