Opinion: S.F. Bay’s toxic algae bloom makes it clear: The Bay Area needs to revolutionize its water management
San Francisco Bay is sick this summer. A toxic algae bloom, the biggest since 2004, is floating across the bay, visibly changing the color of the water and killing off tens of thousands of fish. The takeaway from this unprecedented bloom is clear: The Bay Area needs to revolutionize its water management. Algae blooms are fueled by two primary ingredients. One is higher temperatures which, as the past week’s record-breaking heat wave has shown, seems to be a guarantee going forward. The other is excess nutrients, principally nitrogen and phosphorus, which serve as a food source for algae.
-Written by Spreck Rosekrans, executive director of the nonprofit Restore Hetch Hetchy.Related articles:
- Oaklandside: Toilets? Cannabis grows? Rising temps? We looked into theories and history behind the Bay Area algae bloom
- Palo Alto Online: With costs going up, Palo Alto ponders next steps for new water treatment plants
- Petaluma Argus-Courier: Commentary - Federal grant allows Petaluma to expand recycled water use