Two weeks and a few days of rain after the Indiana Department of Health issued the alert about the health dangers of blue-green algae in Geist Reservoir, authorities are still hesitant to give the all clear to residents.

“Veolia Water did some more testing last week and found that the levels of the toxic algae have decreased,” said Bob Tecklaw with the Indiana Department of Health. “With the warmer weather; however, it is hard to know if it will come back or not.”

A public safety alert issued by the Indiana Department of Health on August 10^th came after a water sample pulled by Veolia Water near the Fall Creek dam tested high for an alga toxin called cylindrospermopsis.

“We have a permit with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) to treat the water for algae blooms that give a musty taste or odor to the water,” said Angie Dye, a spokesperson for Veolia Water Company. “Through our operations, we might need to treat a targeted portion of the reservoir to manage these taste and odor compounds in the water.”

According to officials at the Indiana Department of Health and Veolia, there is no treatment for this toxic alga. Other nearby lakes such as Morse Reservoir, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Lake Lemon, and Ball Lake in northern Indiana have all had similar reports of toxic algae since 2001.

“All lakes and reservoirs have this algae, we just don’t test them so we don’t know about it,” said Tecklaw.

Only lakes or reservoirs used for drinking water are routinely checked for the presence of these toxic algae.

“Here’s the kicker,” added Dye, “no one knows how this alga behaves, when it might create a toxin, or when it doesn’t create a toxin.”

Veolia did confirm that another test was pulled last Friday from Geist Reservoir and sent to Florida to one of only three labs in the United States that can test for the blue-green alga. Results are expected by this Friday, but neither Veolia nor the Indiana Department of Health foresee the levels being much lower than the 2.5 parts per billion that caused this alert to be issued over two weeks ago.

“I doubt that we’ll feel comfortable giving the ‘all clear’ before Labor Day weekend,” said Tecklaw.

According to IDEM, using lawn fertilizers that run-off into the water acts as food for the toxic alga. Geist residents should use a non-phosphorous fertilizer whenever possible. Another catalyst for toxic algae is high water temperatures, which is compounded by low amounts of rain.

Failing septics around Geist could also be a contributing cause to the toxic algae. Some of the older homes built close to Geist in the early 1980’s are having problems with their septics; namely Forest Knoll, Country Lane Estates, and Carefree Estates.

IDEM and the Indiana Department of Health concur that more rain and lower temperatures should lower the toxic levels of this alga this fall.

“If you are boating on Geist Reservoir and not coming in contact with the water or spray, you should be fine,” Tecklaw explained. “You just need to be careful when you are tubing, swimming or water skiing that you don’t ingest too much water. If you do get in the water, just shower off afterwards and you should be fine.”

Tecklaw also clarified that the fish in Geist Reservoir do not accumulate the toxin so they are okay to eat. Only shellfish retain the toxin and should not be eaten.

“People should just use common sense and not enter the water or swim anywhere there is scum on the water,” he said.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, there have been no official reports of anyone experiencing sickness or severe skin irritation from the water.

As a result of the recent incidents at Geist Reservoir and other nearby lakes, the Indiana Department of Health will be looking for additional funding to perform more testing to protect the public health of fishermen and boaters statewide. Currently, testing is not mandated or regulated by any state agency.

“As state agencies, we’re realizing how inadequate our response is,” added Tecklaw. “We are going to get together with IDEM and start issuing information that people can use.”

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