Petition: Tell EPA to Protect Public from Harmful Algal Blooms

Swimming in ponds and lakes is such a great way to stay cool over the summer. Being outside in nature and moving around is so good for your mental and physical health. Unfortunately, there are some dangers that can be life-threatening when engaging in this seemingly harmless summer activity.

Last summer, two women in North Carolina took their dogs to play in a pond. Shortly after, all three dogs suffered from seizures and showed signs of liver failure. Their dogs were poisoned by the toxic water in the pond, which had blooms of cyanobacteria. The pond was near a popular trail and had no signs that warned about the toxic water. Now one of the women is making it her mission to erect signs and educate people so that no one else has to suffer the same fate.

These algae blooms are very easy to spot as the water usually looks blue-green and murky. They are most common in summer and are becoming more common with climate change. Recently, the Illinois River has been tested positive for harmful algae blooms, but not much is being done to inform the public. This is extremely irresponsible and dangerous because it could cause the death of many animals and give humans various physical ailments. Sign this petition to demand the Illinois EPA create a more comprehensive approach to informing the public of and protecting them from the algal toxins in the Illinois River!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Tell the EPA Not to Stop Policing Mass Polluters During Pandemic
• Sign the petition and tell the Senate to vote NO on Skipwith’s nomination.
• Protect the Clean Water Act!
• Ask Congress to Fully and Permanently Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund!

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