Safe drinking water amidst Deer Point Lake algae bloom
Safe drinking water amidst Deer Point Lake algae bloom WJHG
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PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Bloom of Blue-Green Algae Found in Deer Point Reservoir
A bloom of blue-green algae has been discovered near the center of the lake at the Deer Point Reservoir, according to a press release by the Department of Environmental Protection in Bay County. Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria commonly found in Florida freshwater bodies, and it has the potential to produce harmful toxins that can affect humans, plants, and animals.
Concerns about Water Source
Residents are expressing concerns as Deer Point Reservoir serves as the water source for Bay County. However, Sean Lathrop from the Water Treatment plant assures that the drinking water is completely safe. He explains that the drinking water treatment process, known as Conventional Water Treatment, effectively removes organics, including algae, ensuring the safety of the water.
Conventional Water Treatment Process
The Conventional Water Treatment process involves several steps, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. Lathrop elaborates on the process, stating that the water is taken from the lakes and passed through a basin where organics are removed. The settled organics are then filtered out, and the water is disinfected before being distributed for consumption.
Lathrop emphasizes that this treatment process is continuous and occurs around the clock. Each treatment cycle takes approximately four hours. The water is constantly tested and monitored to ensure its quality, and any issues would be detected immediately.
Algae as an Eyesore
Although the drinking water is safe, the presence of algae in the lake is considered an eyesore. Local residents avoid the algae and find it unpleasant to be in the water. Barb Mayernik, a resident, expresses her disappointment, stating that she loves fishing in the lake but finds it “gross” to see the algae. She hopes that measures can be taken to clean up and remove the algae.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
The article addresses SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation. The presence of blue-green algae in the Deer Point Reservoir raises concerns about water quality. The algae is a type of bacteria that can produce harmful toxins to humans, plants, and animals. The article mentions that the drinking water from the reservoir is safe due to the conventional water treatment process that removes organics, including the algae. This relates to Target 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution and eliminating hazardous materials. The indicator 6.3.2, which measures the proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality, can be used to assess progress towards this target.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality. |
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Fuente: wjhg.com
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