Toxic algae advisory issued for Summit Lake

Thurston County health officials have issued a toxic algae advisory for Summit Lake after lab tests showed elevated levels of a neurotoxin in the water.

Officials are telling residents not to drink the lake water or use it for household use until tests show the water is safe. They warn disinfection and treatment systems do not remove or deactivate algae toxin.

People, pets and livestock should avoid contact with water containing algae, and any fish caught during an algae bloom should be thrown back, health officials warn.

Officials say the advisory will remain in place until samples are within safe levels for two weeks in a row. Testing will continue until then.

This story was originally published April 11, 2019 at 11:02 AM.