The Great Lakes in trouble

Climate Change and the Great Lakes is a great article I read on the Weather network. The end of the article is what impressed me the most.

"Toxic algal blooms thrive in warm conditions, and they've been doing exceptionally well in Lake Erie since 2002.
 In fact -- "last year the algal bloom in Lake Erie was 2.5 times larger than anything we've ever seen in the past," says Dr. Jeffery M. Reutter, Director of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program at Ohio State University. "It covered the water intake [structures] for more than 8 million people in the Cleveland area."
... 
Phosphorus, a chemical element commonly found in household fertilizers and cleaning products, has exacerbated the issue. ...
Dr. Reutter says the problem can be curbed by improving agricultural and sewage treatment practices. He recommends choosing household cleaning products and fertilizers that are low in phosphorus and trying to keep water out of storm sanitary systems. This can be done by installing rain barrels and switching to low-flow toilets and showers."

If only North America would get away from its wasteful lifestyle and upgrade to what's already the norm in other developed countries before it's too late. I have trouble to keep up some optimism. North America can not afford the loss or collapse of the Great Lakes!