Want to know how potable your tap water is? Visit the Toledo Public Utilities page toledo.oh.gov/services/public-utilities/water-treatment/water-quality/ to check the water meter. As of press time, the meter reads “Clear.” But the needle’s not so far from the “Watch” area. Toledo regularly tests the drinking water for toxins, including microcystin caused by algal blooms.
The annual State of the Great Lakes Highlight Report came out recently and, as expected, Lake Erie was at the bottom of the list. What’s surprising is how much worse Erie is than the other Great Lakes. While drinking water scored well (see graphic at right), Lake Erie was at the bottom in nearly every other category. Our worst issue: Invasive species. Nearly as bad: Algae growth. We’re also labeled as “deteriorating” in study results in the “edible fish” category, while the other Lakes were “unchanging” or “improving.” To check out the full report, go to binational.net.
Senator Sherrod Brown has submitted a pair of bills on behalf of Ohio fisheries:
The Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act would support infrastructure updates that will improve Great Lakes fisheries and restore habitats. The bill would provide grants to repair or replace aging dams, culverts and roads that inhibit the movement of fish populations across the Great Lakes Basin. The bill creates a grant program under which a group of appointed state and tribal representatives review proposals for infrastructure projects to help improve fisheries.
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act would help better monitor the health of fish populations in the Great Lakes through better scientific tracking technology. This will help U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources make decisions to support and rehabilitate sport fish populations in the basin. This program was initiated in the Great Lakes on a limited scale in 2010, and would be fully established under this legislation.
Metropark Cleanup
The Partners for Clean Streams will be cleaning up the Metroparks. They will be removing fishing line from the riverbanks at Sidecut MetroPark (1025 W. River Rd., Maumee) from 6-8pm on Tuesday, July 25 and Tuesday, August 8. Meet at the Siegert Lake parking lot.
