Pinto Lake To Be Treated For Blue-Green Algae

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – The city of Watsonville will treat Pinto Lake with alum this week to control toxic blue-green algae blooms, city officials said Thursday.

The treatment will last Monday through Friday, during which time city officials have asked the public to avoid the alum boat and equipment.

Pinto Lake develops the algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria during the summer and fall. The bacteria dominate the lake's ecosystem and can cause health effects in humans, city officials said.

Officials said alum is commonly used to treat drinking water and is considered safe and effective.

The treatment will be paid for by a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, which will also provide funding for controlling sources of phosphorous coming to the lake from the watershed, officials said.

• ALSO SEE: Got Unpaid Traffic Tickets? Clock Is Ticking on DMV's Amnesty Program

--Bay City News/Morguefile image