<p>But then an announcement not to use Katadyn filters, First Need filters, MSR filters or Sawyer filters would be in order. If those filters don’t work, they should say so.</p>
<p>A simple order to stop drinking tap water in <em>any form</em> does the job.</p>
<p>I disagree. I think anyone who has their backpacking filter sitting in their closet is going to wonder if it works to filter out the microsystin. And if you filter water, you don’t think of it as tap water any more. This book says the First Need works at filtering microsystin, but MSR fails.
<a href=“Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: State of the Science and Research Needs - Google Books”>Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: State of the Science and Research Needs - Google Books;
<p>Ceramic filters screen algae.
<a href=“Camping Filter Glossary / Filter Terms | All Filters”>http://www.allfilters.com/waterfilter/campingfilterglossary</a></p>
<p>“And if you filter water, you don’t think of it as tap water any more.” Sure, but the question remains - would you drink it after filtration? I would not.</p>
<p>CF, even from the article you show, it is clear that there are many variables affecting the efficiency of the toxin removal by the filters: age of filter, speed of filtration, presence of co-contaminants. It also looks like there is a potential for the trapped cells to rupture and release toxins that would not be retained by the filters. Based on that little paper, I would not bet my life on using those filters. Sorry, not convincing enough.</p>
<p>What I would do if I were <em>desperate</em>: mix some KMnO4 (potassium permanganate) into tap water, let it sit for a while, and then filter through a new carbon and ion-exchange combo filter to remove the inorganics.</p>
<p>EK, it’s not the algae itself that’s the major problem - it’s the chemical toxin (microcystin) that the algae produces. The chemical cannot be filtered away using standard filters; as BB suggests, you’d probably need to use some kind of chemical-based oxidation treatment followed by filtration through carbon. Not an easy process…</p>
<p>EK, this is a common confusion. There are algae cells, and there are toxins that are present inside the cells. While some filtration systems are effective at removing the intact cells, they will not remove the toxins once the cells are ruptured.</p>
<p>More info for anyone interested: <a href=“http://www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/28/documents/HAB/AlgalToxinTreatmentWhitePaper.pdf”>http://www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/28/documents/HAB/AlgalToxinTreatmentWhitePaper.pdf</a></p>
<p>and the same info in ppt format:
<a href=“Ohiowater.org”>ohiowater.org - This website is for sale! - ohiowater Resources and Information.;
<p>Interesting paper, BB. The main idea I get from it is that in an area where blue-green algal blooms are likely (like Lake Erie), water treatment people should be continuously monitoring the water supply and treating where necessary rather than piping contaminated water and then announcing after the fact that it’s contaminated. I the impression (perhaps mistaken) that the Ohio authorities were not on top of this.</p>
<p>“The Ohio National Guard was using water purification systems to produce drinkable water”</p>
<p><a href=“http://news.msn.com/us/lake-eries-algae-woes-began-building-a-decade-ago”>http://news.msn.com/us/lake-eries-algae-woes-began-building-a-decade-ago</a></p>
<p>I wonder what system they are using.</p>
<p>Other news agencies are reporting something slightly different about the water purification efforts of the National Guard:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So I’m confused. Do these purification systems actually remove the microcystin from the Lake Erie water, or do they just take other types of pond water and make it drinkable?</p>
<p><a href=“Central Recorder”>http://www.preppersworldusa.com/2014/08/03/state-emergency-ohio-residences-warned-drink-toxic-tap-water/</a> </p>
<p>It’s possible to remove the microsystin, but according to the paper BB posted, it’s a nonstandard water treatment procedure.</p>
<p>“The main idea I get from it is that in an area where blue-green algal blooms are likely (like Lake Erie), water treatment people should be continuously monitoring the water supply and treating where necessary rather than piping contaminated water and then announcing after the fact that it’s contaminated. I the impression (perhaps mistaken) that the Ohio authorities were not on top of this.”</p>
<p>This is what I think happened. The monitoring is continuous. It means that samples are taken at a predetermined interval and tested. However, something dramatic happened so quickly that the toxins ended up in the water prior to the end of the testing cycle (if this monitoring is done by LC/MS, I assume each run would take an hour to complete even if the run itself is 30 min, but I could be off). As soon as retest showed that there is contamination, the warning was sent out. The system is not perfect, but I’m not aware of any ways it can be sped up (using current tech).</p>
<p>Here’s a revealing article:</p>
<p><a href=“Associated Press News: Breaking News, Latest Headlines and Videos | AP News”>Associated Press News: Breaking News, Latest Headlines and Videos | AP News;
<p>
</p>
<p>So I guess the water treatment folks have known about this risk for while, which is why they were testing for it and were able to announce the problem so quickly, though not do anything about it right away.</p>
<p>The conditions that typically lead to algae bloom, from what I’ve read, are high temperatures and calm conditions. That definitely does not fit this summer’s climate. It has been a cool summer, the lakes were cold to begin with because of the bitter winter and we’ve had a lot of storms so the waters haven’t been calm. I did read that excessive run off of fertilizers can do it also and I suspect that’s what caused the problem this time because of the frequent storms. This also usually happens in late August and early September. </p>
<p>I wonder what employers will do tomorrow. I feel for all of those having to deal with this. </p>
<p>I’m in Toledo too. Fortunately, I left Friday for our cottage in Canada where I was able to drink and shower freely! </p>
<p>Got the news via a text at 3am on Saturday from the University/Hospital I work for. S was at home and H was leaving for home from the cottage early Saturday morning for work so they kept D and I informed as we enjoyed the beach (and the fine water!). Got home last night with the ban still on - you could shower and wash clothes in cold water, but no drinking, cooking, dishwasher washing. Not sure which is worse - loosing electricity or water!</p>
<p>Supposively they just announced they are lifting the ban. People don’t seem to feel too confident. The reporting of the conditions, levels, etc seem to be not accurate and consistent. Some are still reporting a site or two with high levels. </p>
<p>Situations like this bring out the best and worst in people! </p>
<p>Toledo, I hope your son is doing better most of all. </p>
<p>The online Wall Street Journal reports that water restrictions are lifted in Toledo. <a href=“Toledo Mayor Lifts Restrictions on Tap Water - WSJ”>Toledo Mayor Lifts Restrictions on Tap Water - WSJ;
<p>Like people are just going to trust the water again! They sure didn’t here. </p>
<p>They did lift the restriction. However, they haven’t revealed the numbers of the testing so people are still very wary. In fact, some suburbs are refusing to lift the ban until the numbers and more info is revealed. Seems that somehow magically the ban is lifted without a lot of backup info. I’ll stick to my bottled water to drink and will start loading the dishwasher but not plan to use it till tomorrow anyway. </p>
<p>abasket, “They did lift the restriction.” - can you, please, send a link to the lifting restriction information.</p>
<p><a href=“Tips on when and how to flush water systems | The Blade”>http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/08/04/Tips-on-when-and-how-to-flush-water-systems.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/26189171/how-to-flush-contaminated-water-from-your-home”>http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/26189171/how-to-flush-contaminated-water-from-your-home</a></p>