Toxin levels lower in lake, wristbands available to show support

CELINA — Governor Ted Strickland and other state agency directors will announce short- and long-term action plans to help restore Grand Lake St. Marys at the Wright State University – Lake Campus at 11:30 a.m. today.

Toxin levels produced by blue-green algae in the lake have dropped but are still above recommended levels, according to an Ohio EPA report released Thursday.

The lake’s microcystin levels range from 0.8 to 416 parts per billion. The World Health Organization set 20 ppb as the upper end of the moderate-risk range for contact with the toxin.

Anatoxin-a, a neurotoxin, has decreased. East Beach levels dropped from 4 ppb to 1.2 ppb, West Beach levels dropped from 4ppb to 0.9 ppb, and Camp Beach levels dropped from 3 ppb to 0.8 ppb.

The State of Ohio is maintaining lake advisories and asks people to avoid contact with the water. People shouldn’t allow pets to contact the water or boat on the lake. The Ohio EPA also advises to avoid eating fish from the lake.

The U.S. Geological Survey took water samples from East Beach, West Beach and Campground Beach on Sunday. The Ohio EA took samples Monday.

The Celina Water Department analyzed the water for microcystin and Green Water Labs in Florida analyzed it for three toxins produced by Aphanizomenon, a blue-green algae species.

To raise support and money for the Grand Lake’s cleanup, the Celina-Mercer Chamber of Commerce has been selling wristbands that say “I heart Grand Lake.”

Each band is $2 and can be purchased at the chamber office, 226 North Main Street, or at area businesses. The first shipment received July 13 sold out within five days. The chamber doubled the order and just received their second shipment this week.

“Probably as long as they keep selling, I’ll keep ordering,” Executive Director Pam Buschur said.

All proceeds will go to the Grand Lake Restoration Committee, and Buschur said she plans to donate the money after sales are complete.

“It’s not a huge amount, but every little but helps,” she said. “The biggest thing is kind of just to show support for the lake. So we’re trying to get people to at least wear them and show that, ‘hey this is important to me and we want to get something done.’”