By Lisa Pemberton

The Olympian

For the second time in recent weeks, Summit Lake’s toxic algae levels have reached safe levels.

But Thurston County Environmental Health officials say a toxic blue-green algae advisory remains in effect, and people should continue avoiding contact with the lake’s water — even though temperatures are expected to reach into the 90s this weekend.

Lab results received June 8 showed toxin levels in a safe range, but June 15 test results indicated that Anatoxin-a, a neurotoxin, had returned to dangerous levels, officials say. One microgram per liter is considered a level for health concern.

The most recent results, released Thursday, showed a .385 toxin level, which is in the safe range.

The next samples will be taken on Monday, and those results will be available on June 29.

The lake has been closed to fishing, swimming and other uses since May 11. To lift the advisory, officials say toxin levels have to stay in a safe range for two weeks in a row.

Many lake residents not only use the lake for recreation, but pull their drinking water from the lake.

Sunshine helps kill algae. If the levels are deemed safe next week, the lake could be reopened in time for the Fourth of July holiday, said environmental health specialist Jane Mountjoy-Venning.