Scientists have given prediction about one of the most severe outbreaks of toxic algae blooms on western Lake Erie very much similar to the one in last August that disrupted the water supply of nearly 40, 000 people in Toledo and southern Michigan.

Researcher said that drinking water of the region as of now is safe, but acres of spreading green muck has been floating around Toledo’s water intake pipe on Lake Erie.

Joel Brammeier, president of the nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes, said, “It’s a signal that our Great Lakes region is sliding backwards. If we lose clean drinking water, our region loses everything”.

As per experts, so far Toledo has not experienced any problems this summer with microcystis algae, which produces a toxin called microcystin that reached alarming levels. The spread of the algae in last August prompted a ‘do not drink or boil’ water advisory.

The algae on nutrients in Lake Erie, with a primary source being the Maumee River and its watershed, which stretches through farm and industrial country from Indiana to Toledo.

Agricultural runoff is considered as a key source of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients that help the algae to thrive when combined with warm temperatures and sufficient sunlight.

Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson stated that the problem is very serious as they are at the end of this river, and they are being required as a city to do much of the work to clean it up.

Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced earlier this month that models show this summer could be one of the most severe for harmful algal blooms on western Lake Erie.