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Health of Liberty Lake water
10/24/2008
The waters of Liberty Lake are getting some attention recently -- by the Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District for toxic algae blooms and by the state Department of Ecology for pollution testing.
The Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District have posted caution signs at the lake because of slightly elevated levels of toxic algae, which can be dangerous for people and animals.
Cyanobacteria (formerly called blue-green algae) produce blooms that pose a health concern for humans and have even killed pets and livestock. Some may be toxic and others may not. Human health effects include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes and nerve and liver damage.
One Liberty Lake resident already has reported that his dog has become ill after drinking from the lake.
For more information, call BiJay Adams at 922-5443, ext. 30.
The Department of Ecology also is testing the waters of Liberty Lake during the week of Oct. 27. Don't be alarmed if you see a fluorescent, yellowish green hue to the water on the northwest side of the lake.
"It's completely harmless to us and the environment," said Ted Hamlin of the state Department of Ecology's (Ecology) urban waters office.
Ecology will conduct a fluorescent dye test in a segment of the stormwater conveyance system for Liberty Lake.
"Using dye for this type of study is very common," Hamlin said. "Research has long shown that the dye doesn't affect human health or aquatic life in any way at the very low concentrations we use."
Ecology will be testing to see if street runoff is being discharged to the west side of Liberty Lake. Recent studies have shown that pollution from streets can contribute up to 80 percent of surface water pollution.
In cooperation with the Spokane County Fire Department and Spokane County's stormwater management staff, a dye tablet will be allowed to dissolve in water being supplied to storm drains. A tablet will be dissolved once during the week. The exact day is undetermined.
The Urban Waters Initiative is a concerted effort to find out from where toxic pollution is coming from and how it's getting into the Spokane River.
"Locating sources of the pollution will help us work with businesses and industries to find ways to manage the toxic substances so that they don't get into our lakes, rivers and aquifer," Hamlin said.
Urban Waters Initiative staff from Ecology and the Spokane Regional Health District has started in the Liberty Lake area and will expand into Spokane as they sleuth for sources of toxic materials.
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