Toxic Algae Warning for Summit Lake Lifted

County

Commissioners

John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, May 17, 2018

CONTACT:  Media: Gabby Byrne, Public Information Specialist (360) 867-2514 or

byrneg @co.thurston.wa.us

Residents: (360) 867-2645

Toxic Algae Warning for Summit Lake Lifted

Lake samples have been below the level of concern for two consecutive weeks

OLYMPIA –  Thurston County Public Health has lifted the toxic algae-related warning for Summit Lake. Sample results for the last two weeks show that Anatoxin-a concentrations in the water are less than one microgram per liter, the level of public health concern.

The sample taken on May 13, 2018 had Anatoxin-a at 0.59 ug/L, below the level of public health concern for the second consecutive week. The results for the first sample taken on Monday, May 7, 2018 showed toxin levels were at 0.076 micrograms per liter.

Since April 24, Summit Lake has been under a toxic algae alert recommending not drinking or using the lake water for the roughly 400 homes that surround the lake.

Health Department staff will monitor the lake for toxin producing algae blooms only when residents report a new algae bloom. Residents can sign up for email updates and advisories for Summit Lake by calling Thurston County Public Health at (360) 867-2626.

“It’s important for residents of all our lakes to understand that algae blooms tend to increase in the summer months, when the weather is warmer,” said Art Starry, Environmental Health Division Director. “While science doesn’t yet know what makes an algae bloom become toxic, we do see patterns that indicate people should use extra caution in the warmer months. A catch phrase that may help is, ‘when in doubt—stay out.’”

Residents should flush their water systems any time an algae alert is lifted, prior to drinking from their taps. Instructions on how to do this are on the Thurston County Summit Lake Toxic Algae web page here: https://bit.ly/2ohXydE

For more information about blue-green algae and the County lakes program, visit the County’s Blue-Green Algae Advisories website.