Chinese authorities are hard-pressed to contain a surge of blue algae in the largest lake in Anhui Province. The bacteria has bloomed exponentially in Chaohu Lake in the past month - threatening the important fresh water source and affecting many in the city.

Xinhua reported that since the beginning of July, the blue algae in the lake has expanded by almost 900 percent. Anhui's environment monitor assistant director Zhu Yu admits that his agency is struggling to stop the blue algae from taking over the entire lake.

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Experts say the summer heat has helped the blue algae grow and spread rapidly in Lake Chaohu. Government clean-up crews are concentrating their efforts to remove the blue algae from two drinking water sources, namely, Bakou and Chuanchang.

Zhu assured the public that steps have been taken to ensure the supply of fresh water will continue despite the environmental plague in the lake.

Tests on the lake water has revealed that the toxin Microcystin is not yet present. If it was, then the water will be unsafe for humans.

Zhu said that the government has a back up water supply of at least 50,000 tons, which could be replenished in less than two weeks.

Environmental protection assistant director He Zequn said blue algae has been a problem in Lake Chaohu for many years, but the issue has become intensified in recent years.

The growth of blue algae in the lake this year has been particularly alarming. Authorities reported that more than 120,000 tons of the algae has been removed from the lake at the cost of over 200 million yuan ($35 million) this year.

Meanwhile, authorities in Nanjing have found an innovative way to eliminate blue algae from Lake Taihu, the third largest landlocked fresh water supply in China.

Tens of thousands of silver carps were placed into the lake to feed on the blue algae. The fish is a voracious eater. It has the ability to eat more than 40 kilos of the plant. Aside from eliminating the pollution threat, carps are also edible.

Tagsblue algae, blue-green algae, lake chaohu, lake taihu, microcystin, blue algae elimination method, blue algae growth, Blue Algae Lake Chaohu