Toxic bloom of blue-green algae at Detroit Lake is currently the subject of monitoring for officials, but they have denied any safety risk being so far caused by Salem’s drinking water.

Located 46 miles southeast of Salem on the North Santiam River, the lake serves as the source of Salem’s drinking water. Tests at Detroit Lake and at the river are regularly conducted by the city between April and October. This period is particularly important for water testing as warm weather and sunlight are likely to cause algae blooms.

According to Francis Kessler, public works operations division manager, nothing has appeared in the tests results to indicate presence of toxins at the reservoir, the river or the Geren Island water treatment facility.

Blue-green algae in the Detroit Lake reservoir poses health risks to pets and people, said Oregon Health Authority in a press release, adding that inhaling, drinking or skin contact with the water is dangerous. It is not possible to remove the toxins by using techniques like boiling, filtering or treating the water with camping-style filters.

The risk for exposure is the highest for children and pets. The new releases has suggested people who use water directly from Detroit Lake to use an alternate water source as efficacy of private treatment systems has not been proven good enough to remove algae toxins.

Visitors should refrain from eating clams or mussels from Detroit Lake. Fish eaters should remove all fat, skin and organs, as toxins are most likely to store there.

Boaters should maintain safe speeds as excessive water spray could become their plight as a result of inhaling toxins.