Toxic algae in nine Utah water bodies has triggered warnings and a reservoir closure.
State environmental officials added four new names last week to a growing list of water bodies with harmful algal blooms. People who use Echo, Rockport, Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs will now find advisories.
“Across the country, and in Utah, algal blooms -- harmful algal blooms, in particular -- are on the rise,” says Erica Gaddis, director of the Utah Division of Water Quality.
One reason, says Gaddis, is a hotter climate. Remember: this summer was the warmest on record in Salt Lake City.
Another factor is that more Utahns generate more runoff, which dumps excess nitrogen and phosphorous into waterways.
“Awareness is huge,” she says. “We should all be paying attention to how we use fertilizer on our lawns and in our garden.”
Gaddis says sewer districts are phasing in new controls to remove pollutants. That means customers are likely to be seeing higher sewer bills.
