AKRON, Ohio – The village of Lakemore and Springfield Township have advised residents to avoid contact with the water at Springfield Lake due to elevated microcystin levels stemming from a harmful algal bloom.

The communities southeast of Akron issued the advisory on Wednesday. It will remain in effect until further notice. Under the advisory, residents and their pets are encouraged to avoid contact with the water, such as wading and swimming, said Tonia Burford, director of environmental health at Summit County Public Health.

“Most harmful algal blooms are caused by runoff of surface waters into the lake,” Burford said. “Usually those [waters] are nutrient rich as a result of lawn fertilizer, and possibly fecal matter, which adds extra nitrogen and phosphorus to the lake. Cyanobacteria live naturally in all waters, but when they get that extra food they bloom. When the cyanobacteria die off, the toxin microcystin is produced.”

Tests conducted by Lakemore and Springfield Township showed microcystin levels at 10 parts per billion. For recreational use, levels should be below 6 parts per billion, Burford said.

Under the advisory, activities such as boating and fishing are generally regarded as safe, Burford said. Fish can still be eaten if caught, as long as they are washed thoroughly, she said. Jet skiing and water skiing should be avoided, because cyanotoxins can become airborne when water is kicked up, which can trigger breathing difficulties.

Exposure to cyanotoxins can also cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and skin rashes, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Lakemore and Springfield Township will re-test the water in the coming weeks to see if levels have declined.

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