TRAVERSE CITY, MI (AP)-- A scientific study says proposals for reducing phosphorus runoff won't be enough to prevent more toxic bacteria blooms on Lake Erie such as the one that caused a temporary drinking water shutdown in the Toledo, Ohio, area this summer.
About 400,000 people in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan were without drinking water for two days in August because of contamination from a toxin produced by cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as toxic algae.
In a study published this month, scientists say deeper cuts in phosphorus runoff from farms and other sources will be needed than those called for in a U.S.-Canadian advisory report earlier this year.
Lead author Daniel Obenour says computer modeling suggests climate change and invasive mussels also may help explain why bacteria blooms on Erie are getting bigger.