algal blooms.JPG

An Ohio lawmaker is planning to hold hearings in the coming weeks on how to combat toxic blue-green algal blooms in Lake Erie. The city of Toledo lifted a drinking water ban on Monday, three days after high levels of algae-related toxins were found.

(The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A prominent state lawmaker said Monday that he's planning to hold hearings soon on what can be done to fight hazardous algal blooms in the wake of a three-day ban on Toledo's tap water.

State Rep. Dave Hall, a Millersburg Republican who chairs the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, said he wants his committee to gather information from experts to see what, if anything, the General Assembly should do when it reconvenes in November.

Toledo lifted its tap-water ban on Monday, three days after a water treatment plant showed high levels of algae-related toxins.

Hall said he's still working on when and where the committee hearings will take place.

The committee, Hall said, will look at ways to stop algal blooms, including curbing agricultural fertilizer runoff that nourishes the algae. In May, Gov. John Kasich signed legislation to reduce some phosphorus runoff by requiring farmers who use commercial fertilizer to be certified by the state.

In addition, the chairman said, some wastewater treatment plants may need to be upgraded. If voter-passed public works bonds aren't able to cover the cost, Hall suggested looking at diverting some money from a proposed severance tax hike on oil and gas drilling.

But finding an overall answer, he said, may take some time.

"You don't just flip on a switch and it's better overnight," he said. "You're looking at practices that have gone on for generations."