Summit Lake toxic algae advisory lifted

By Lauren Smith

The Olympian

The toxic algae advisory at Summit Lake has been lifted just in time for the Fourth of July, Thurston County Public Health announced Wednesday in a release.

Samples have shown that toxin concentrations have been less than one microgram per liter — the level of health concern — for two consecutive weeks, allowing advisories against consumption and swimming to be lifted.

“We are delighted to be able to lift the health advisory right before the Fourth of July holiday weekend,” Schelli Slaughter, the director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department, said in the release.

Slaughter noted it is important for residents to purge household plumbing systems before resuming water use.

Summit Lake was declared in a state of emergency in May, when lake samples reached toxic levels. The highest, taken on May 4, was 354 micrograms per liter.

The advisory impacted residents in about 400 homes around the lake. Temporary water distribution at Camp Thunderbird will remain open until 7 p.m. on Friday. The public boat ramp will reopen Thursday.

“Health Department staff will continue to monitor the lake for toxin producing algae blooms throughout the summer, when most lake algae blooms take place,” said Dr. Rachel Wood, the Thurston County Health Officer .

“We believe extra monitoring is warranted because the lake is the primary drinking water source for most residents around the lake.”