The report Monday that the algae bloom at Marion Reservoir appears to have contributed to the death of three dogs this past weekend is a sobering reminder how significant the algae issue is for people who use the lake for recreation, and for Marion County residents who benefit from the tourist dollars those people spend here.
Fortunately, the safety of drinking water for the residents of Hillsboro, Peabody and Marion appears to be uncompromised, thanks to effective water-treatment plants in Hillsboro and Marion. At the very least, we hope this incident rachets up public pressure for better monitoring equipment at the reservoir in the short run, and to pursue long-term solutions more aggressively.
