This year, ecologists have been expecting a severe algal bloom on Lake Erie. If it turns out to be the case, then the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission is all set to deal with the situation.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said that it is estimating a bloom measuring 8.7 on its severity index and could even go to 9.5 in Lake Erie this summer. In June, PUC general manager Tom Kissner said that the utility has been working on the matter and has been sampling for microcystin, the toxin that is found in blue-green algae that has been found in Lake Erie in past few years.

Tom said the sampling will continue to take place until the fall. Sampling work has been completed with the raw water and will treated water leaving the plant. The PUC can access a live satellite imagery system using which staff comes to know whether or not blooms are present in the lake.

Chief operators carry out visual checks on regular basis. Tom said that for now, there have been no signs of an algae bloom. Last year, moderate-sized algae blooms on Lake Erie led to the closure of the water system for Toledo, Ohio.

In 2014, a $1-million upgrade was approved for the Chatham Water Treatment Plant so that it can handle color, taste and odor issues, which affect drinkable water when lake inversion takes place on Lake Erie. The new system will be activated by the end of August.