Environmental officials say they’re looking for more ways to keep safe drinking water safe for 100,000 Michigan residents who rely on Lake Erie.
That’s after Toledo was recently forced to issue a no-drinking order that effected about 34 thousand residents of southeast Michigan.
We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta.
The no-drink order was due to high levels of microcystin toxin, a type of bacteria. It’s been linked to neurological and liver disorders.
Dan Wyant is the director of the state Department of Environmental Quality. He says there are lots of programs in place to control discharges and runoffs that create an environment where the bacteria can grow.
“But more needs to be done and Michigan is committed to being part of the solution,” he says.
Wyant says Michigan is consulting with the EPA and environmental agencies in neighboring states. But officials say people who rely on other Great Lakes for drinking water don’t face the same risks, because they are deeper and cleaner than Lake Erie.