IMPROVING WATER QUALITY

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Harrisons Bay is classified by Minnesota Pollution Control as Impaired.  They say the following about why we should be concerned about water quality:

Minnesotans get their drinking water from both surface waters and groundwater. Though it is treated before we consume it, some types of contamination are still a challenge. Some communities in southern and central Minnesota are finding excess nitrates in their water from polluted runoff. Such water is unhealthy to drink, particularly for babies. Elsewhere, chemicals spilled or dumped at old industrial sites have seeped into groundwater at sites around the state.  Harmful algae blooms are also a common issue in Minnesota lakes during calm, sunny summer weather. People can become sick from contact with toxic blue-green algae, by swallowing or having skin contact with water or by breathing in tiny droplets of water in the air. Dogs are at particular risk because they’re more willing to wade into lakes with algal scum; several have died from blue-green algae exposure. Harmful algae is the result of excess nutrient pollution in the water.  Poor water quality has its most direct impact on aquatic wildlife, particularly fish, bugs, and plants. Excess nutrients, sediment, road salt, and other contaminants can reduce the variety and hardiness of organisms living in the state’s waters.  

-   https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/why-you-should-care-about-water-quality#:~:text=Poor%20water%20quality%20has%20its,living%20in%20the%20state's%20waters.