WILMINGTON — After consultation with the Ohio EPA, city officials started using the Burtonville reservoirs as Wilmington’s drinking water source Friday afternoon, the City of Wilmington announced Monday morning.

A harmful algal bloom producing the toxin microcystin is occurring in Caesar Creek Lake, the city’s main water source. The harmful algal bloom is the first recorded at Caesar Creek Lake.

Wilmington’s water treatment plant has been effectively removing the toxin. In an abundance of caution, city officials began using water stored in the Burtonville reservoirs – the city’s backup source, according to Wilmington Director of Public Service Brian Shidaker.

“Routine testing of Caesar Creek Lake water has indicated a small but increasing harmful algal bloom over the past few weeks. Wilmington’s finished drinking water has no detectable algal toxins,” Shidaker stated in a press release.

“Several EPA employees spent much of Thursday in Wilmington gathering water samples from Caesar Creek Lake, the Water Treatment Plant, and the Burtonville reservoirs,” Shidaker stated. “The results were received late Friday afternoon and indicated that while the plant continues to effectively remove the toxin, the bloom in Caesar Creek Lake was worsening. The Burtonville reservoirs contained no harmful algae.

He said the city will remain on Burtonville reservoir water as long as a significant level of algal toxins remains in the Caesar Creek Lake water. Meanwhile, the city will continue to implement and maintain the best procedures to provide safe drinking water to its customers.

Shidaker reiterated that no algal toxin has been detected in Wilmington’s finished drinking water and is safe for consumption and use.

If you have questions, contact the Water Treatment Plant at 937-382-3614.