Ohio farmers point to algae law loophole

Ohio’s new fertilizer certification law may be a step toward better management of algae threats to drinking water. But critics say its voluntary nature, delayed implementation and failure to address manure are significant flaws.

A deeper dive into Lake Erie’s pea-green soup

Karen Schaefer, an independent public radio journalist based in Ohio who has been covering algae blooms in Lake Erie for years, reported on the recent Toledo water crisis for Great Lakes Echo. Here she gives deeper background on the development of the threat posed by algae and what may lie ahead. Additional stories here. This report first appeared on WKAR’s Current State public affairs program and is produced as a partnership with Great Lakes Echo.  

Failed algae policies leave Toledo high and dry

Commentary
Toledo citizens were without water this past weekend as life-threatening toxins caused by harmful algae far surpassed safe levels. That’s 400,000 people left to scramble for water wherever they could find it. Ohio declared a state of emergency and it was one of those all hands on deck situations. Toledo without water because of toxic algae? We shouldn’t be surprised.