Ohios U.S. Senators have introduced two bills that address the problems with toxic microcystins, a result of blue-green algae in the states waters. But, neither piece of legislation gets at the primary source of the pollution. The out-of-control growth of the blue-green algae monster in Ohio lakes starts upstream: the biggest known contributor is runoff from farms and other fields. Basically fertilizer gets into waterways, and that feeds giant blooms of bacteria that produce toxins called microcystins in the summer months. Other contributors include manure runoff, leaky septic tanks and storm overflows in aging sewer systems So, Senator Browns bill would make more funding available for the 73 municipalities in Ohio that have those sewage overflowsthat includes Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
"We underinvest in water and sewer systems. Whether its in a small town or a large city, these communities need help in upgrading their water systems," says Senator Brown.
Brown also worked with Republican Senator Rob Portman and Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur on a bill that would direct the federal Environmental Protection Agency to set an actual standard for how much microcystin is okay to drink. Heres Senator Portman. "Right now were relying on a suggestion from the WHO of one part per billion or less of microcystins. We dont know if thats the right level or not," says Senator Portman. Both legislators have said the issue is urgent. "When 500,000 people lose their drinking water, and theres no reason we wont see other big algae blooms in the next five or ten years, and the climate is changing, there is not time for delay," says Brown. But theres nothing on the table right now that would limit fertilizer or manure runoff. A state law passed this spring requires farmers to start getting certified and learn best practices before they put down fertilizer, but that requirement takes three years to go into effect.