Alert Still In Place: New Summit Lake Results For Friday May 11, 2018

This update is for Friday, May 11, 2018.

Summit Lake has a toxic algae bloom.  Thurston County Health Department issued a health advisory for residents who use the lake for drinking water, recommending that no one should drink the lake water, or use the water for household water uses.  Filtration, boiling, and other water treatment methods do not remove or deactivate the algae toxin.  

Lab results received today found Anatoxin-a at 0.076 ug/L, below the state advisory level of 1 ug/L. Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin that is fast-acting, and which can cause serious illness, or even death. The health alert for Summit Lake will remain in place until samples are within safe levels for two consecutive weeks. Testing will continue weekly until the samples are within safe limits for two consecutive weeks. A new sample will be taken on Monday, May 14th, 2018, with results anticipated Friday, May 18^th.

Public Health advises residents and the public that if your source of water comes from the lake, they should not consume the water, or use it to:

·         Mix formula or other food/drink.

·         Rinse food or do dishes.

·         Brush teeth, or bathe.

In addition, Public Health recommends that people:

·         Do not swim or water ski in the lake.

·         Keep pets out of the lake and do not let them drink lake water.

·         Should not eat fish that come from the lake during an algae bloom.

For more information on Summit Lake, visit the Summit Lake Toxic Algae website. For more information about blue-green algae, frequently asked questions, and the County lakes program, visit the County’s Blue-Green Algae Advisories website. You can sign up to receive email algae alerts on the website or by calling 360-867-2645. This information line will be updated when lab results are received.