Algae Rob 500,000 of Drinking Water

Up to half a million residents of one of the largest cities in Ohio are without safe drinking water after a dangerous toxin was discovered in the supply.

A state of emergency has been declared in Toledo, Ohio's fourth largest city, and its surrounding suburbs after the contamination was discovered on Friday.

Restaurants and the local zoo was closed as a result of the crisis, thought to be caused by a "harmful algal bloom" at the water's source in Lake Erie, according to city officials.

The National Guard was called in to bring water to the area after a warning against drinking from the tap sparked a shopping frenzy for clean bottled water. Governor John Kasich said it was too early to know how long the crisis would last.

The increase in the algae levels is caused by the high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous from run-off water from fertilized fields, farms and gardens or broken septic tanks. Drinking this water could result in vomiting, diarrhoea, infesctions and and other problems. Boiling will not remove the toxins.

The Independent