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Toxic Algae Blooms Reach "Epidemic"

Christina Belasco/OPB

Blooms of harmful algae in waterways have been more of an inconvenience in our region so far.  Generally, the blooms only stop people from swimming and fishing in their favorite spots. 

But across the country, the problem is growing. Salem had to renew its water advisory on Wednesday after toxic algae showed up in the city's water supply. Its previous advisory ended just four days earlier.

The Environmental Working Group calls the spread of harmful algal blooms an epidemic.  Oregon has had a program to track blooms and inform the public for years now.  Craig Cox from EWG visits.  

 

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Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.