On Friday, Governor Jeff Colyer declared a state of disaster emergency for the City of Norton due to harmful algae blooms in Sebelius Lake.

According to the press release, the algae blooms are affecting the surface water intakes for the public water supply.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has requested Kansas National Guard resources transport 26 pallets of bottled water to Norton. The bottled water was donated by Harvesters in Kansas City, Missouri, and Topeka.

Earlier in the week on June 19th, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a boil water advisory for the Norton public water supply.

“The cause of this response is due to the harmful algae bloom in Lake Sebelius, which is where the city gets most of its drinking water,” said Leo Henning, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Director of Environment. “We are working closely with federal, State and local leaders on monitoring and testing water supplies. Our goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of those in the community. We are working quickly with others to resolve the water quality concerns.”

The 169th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, based out of Olathe, will transported the pallets to the Manhattan National Guard Armory on Saturday morning, June 23. The 997th Brigade Support Battalion, based out of Hays, will transport the water Saturday afternoon from Manhattan to Norton.