Record Levels Of Toxic Cyanobacteria In Racoon River Force Des Moines To Turn Elsewhere For Water

[hatrack]

Record levels of potentially toxic algae in the Raccoon River have once again forced the Des Moines Water Works to draw from the Des Moines River to keep drinking water free of poor tastes, bad smells and health risks.

Levels of blue-green algae — also known as cyanobacteria — for the past month have been higher than those of last year, when readings were the highest Water Works CEO Randy Beavers had seen in his nearly 30 years of service.

Samples collected from the Raccoon in recent weeks have frequently exceeded 20,000 cyanobacteria cells per milliliter of river water — well beyond levels that can easily be treated for use as drinking water. Tests from this week showed levels above 60,000 — the highest waterworks employees have ever measured in the Raccoon River.

In some cases, cyanobacteria can release a toxin that can sicken or even kill animals and humans. "That's one of the reasons we go to the Des Moines River as another safety precaution should there be any unforeseen spikes in that toxin," Beavers said. Fortunately, the toxin has been at very low concentrations." Of further concern this year: Blue-green algae blooms have been more prevalent in the Des Moines River than in the past.

EDIT

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090923/NEWS/909230350/-1/NEWS04

[Ian David]

1. Pollution is a liberal plot. Conservatives should know to go ahead and drink it. n/t

[madrchsod]

2. ag run-off ...time to go back to diversified crop rotation

[kestrel91316]

4. Time to stop plowing and planting right to the property line, and time to

stop doubling up on fertilizer just to be safe. And time to require the pork factories to clean up their own waste to drinking water standards, since that's how the water was when they received it.

[kestrel91316]

3. More of that mysterious toxic algae - it's a pity no one has a clue what causes it.

:sarcasm:

[hatrack]

5. I know, I KNOW, it's all so . . . . MYSTERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:eyes:

[mrbarber]

6. Racoon River? That wouldn't be located near....

RACCOON CITY would it?!

Dun Dun DUNNNN!!!!