Topeka ? The state has declared Marion County a disaster area after potentially dangerous algae prompted officials to stop pumping from Marion County Lake Reservoir.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius issued the declaration Thursday to allow emergency response assistance to communities in Marion County that need help getting water, the Adjutant General’s Office said.

“Our goal is to make sure Kansans have safe, clean water,” Sebelius said. “This declaration will ensure that happens in these communities.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first discovered the fairly aggressive strain of the anabeana algae in the reservoir on June 5. The algae, which occurs naturally in the proper conditions, could be harmful to humans.

The reservoir provides water for the cities of Marion, Hillsboro and Peabody.

The bloom had disappeared, but is again visible, this time closer to the intake used by the water treatment plants of Hillsboro, which supplies water to Peabody, the Adjutant General’s Office said.

Results from tests being conducted on water samples collected by the city of Hillsboro and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are expected in several days.