Ohio EPA spokesperson Dina Pierce said Celina is now using the ultrasonicator to analyze water samples taken from the lake. The process is the same one used by the Florida lab the Ohio EPA previously sent samples to for analysis. The method, Pierce said, is more complete and kills the algae — a process that causes it to release all the toxin.
"We think it's a better system," Pierce told The Evening Leader Monday morning. "It's good that they are using it because we can be fairly certain about it. We can be pretty confident that it is accurate."
In testing conducted Thursday, the ultrasonicator yielded the following results: near intake registered an average of 61.6 parts per billion; Safety Island registered a 61.8 ppb; Camp Beach registered a 55 ppb; East Beach registered a 71.8 ppb and West Beach a 76.8 ppb. The World Health Organization set a level of 20 ppb as a moderate risk for recreational contact. The levels are a significant increase compared to samples that were tested using a previous lab kit — one that did not kill the algae contained within the water. Testing conducted July 29 produced results of 52.1 for near intake, 17.6 for Safety Island, 18.8 for Camp Beach, 35.4 for East Beach and 33.2 for West Beach.
Pierce said the ultrasonicator yields the highest, worst-case scenario toxin level.
"Since our role is to be as protective as possible in regard to human health, we like the higher number because that is what the worst will be," Pierce said.
Pierce said a few more details have to be worked out before the Ohio EPA makes an announcement regarding Grand Lake St. Marys. Once it is ready, a public meeting will be scheduled in the area.
"There are some technical and legal stuff that the unit we have working on it is still dealing with," Pierce said. "We are definitely focusing on that right now."
Celina Water Superintendent Mike Sudman told The Evening Leader Monday he decided to switch methods because the cost of shipping samples to Florida started adding up. Instead, Sudman said purchasing the equipment will allow testing to be done in-house.
"It's better to have it here," Sudman said of the $3,600 piece of equipment. "It will pay for itself in six months."
The city and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources struck a deal where the city provides the equipment and manpower and ODNR the consumables. Sudman said the deal helps keep the operation local.
"I have the facility and the manpower and that's why we worked out a deal with ODNR," Sudman said, noting his main focus is keeping the toxin out of the city's water supply — which has consistently registered as undetectable. "I'm pleased about that. I have a very complicated water treatment process so I wasn't really worried about it."
Ohio EPA officials in May released that elevated levels of microcystin, a toxin found in blue-green algae, were discovered at Grand Lake St. Marys. Since then, officials with the city of Celina, ODNR and Ohio EPA have performed periodic testing on the water. Water quality advisories have been posted since Memorial Day weekend.
Exposure to the toxin can cause illness in humans and death in animals. Officials have urged pet owners to keep their animals from drinking lake water.
Residents can keep up-to-date on toxin levels by visiting www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/glsm_algae.html.

Read More in Tuesday's edition of The Evening Leader.