Algae bloom continues impacting Lake Manatee, officials say concentrations are improving

MANATEE COUNTY – A blue-green algae bloom continues impacting Lake Manatee, which provides about two-thirds of the county’s water supply.

County officials Tuesday said algae concentrations have gotten significantly better over the last few weeks, but the algae continues to produce taste and odor compounds.

“The geosmin we have been dealing with is still being produced at a much lower level, so for about the past four weeks, the levels coming into the plant have been low enough that we’ve been able to treat successfully for it,” said Utilities Department Deputy Director Katie Gilmore. “The levels leaving the plants are low enough that most people should not be able to taste or smell anything and they’re drinking water right now,” she continued.