A harmful algal bloom containing neurotoxins has been detected in some algae on Lady Bird Lake.
AUSTIN, TX—Cyanobacteria is also called blue-green algae and is common in Austin. There are many types of blue-green algae and some can produce harmful toxins called algal bloom. Some produce dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water but even nontoxic blooms hurt the environment and local economies.
Blue-green algae tends to be more prevalent in late summer and early fall. It thrives when temperatures are hot, nutrients are high and flow is low. Zebra mussels, flooding during the fall and climate change are potential contributing factors.
In July, the city confirmed an algal bloom on Lady Bird Lake, where neurotoxins have been detected in some algae. Austin Water regularly looks at algae levels on Lake Austin and Lake Travis, and has not detected levels of concern for drinking water. Currently, Austin Water does not use Lady Bird Lake as a source for drinking water.
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Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.
