Lake Manatee Reservoir Water Safe To Drink Despite Algal Bloom: County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — After announcing an algal bloom in the Lake Manatee Reservoir was affecting the taste and odor of drinking water, independent testing has determined its safety for consumption, according to a Manatee County news release.

“The county would like to assure the public that the compound responsible for the taste and odor is identified as geosmin, and it is not an algal toxin,” according to the news release. “While certain blue-green algae can produce toxins, it is important to note that not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic. Rigorous independent testing by GreenWater Laboratories has been conducted during this bloom for a variety of cyanotoxins, and none have been detected in the drinking water.”

The current algal bloom is the result of “prolonged hot and dry weather conditions,” the county added.

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The county’s water treatment process includes powdered activated carbon to lower geosmin levels. Despite these efforts, the water may still retain elevated levels of geosmin, which can cause an earth or musty taste or odor.

“It is crucial to emphasize that the water remains completely safe for consumption,” the county said.