Council Approves Resolution to Declare Lake Erie Impaired

The Toledo City Council approved a resolution to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to declare Lake Erie—a major drinking water source—impaired. The council voted 11 to 1 in favor of the resolution.

The western basin of Lake Erie, specifically, suffers from pollution. Allegedly, agricultural runoff causes algal blooms in the lake. Although, council members are worried that local wastewater discharge regulations may change due to this issue. The designation would allow EPA to identify the nonpoint sources of pollution in watersheds that drain to the lake.

The lake is not officially declared impaired. The final decision will come from the federal government and the state of Ohio.