Lake Erie Impairment Designation FAQ

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the open waters of western Lake Erie as impaired in a draft report. What does that actually mean?

The new water quality designation doesn’t mean that Lake Erie isn’t safe for drinking water, or for recreational boating and swimming. It means that the open waters of Lake Erie do not meet federal or state water quality goals. The designation does help pave the way for more action to combat pollution that leads to harmful algal blooms (HABs).

You can use the resources highlighted in the next questions to get the information you need to make an informed decision about visiting Lake Erie. We encourage those visits, and these websites will help you choose the perfect destination for your trip.

Finish reading at https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/news/2018/vg3h9/lake-erie-impairment-faq