Toxics Targeting Posts New Statewide Map of 186 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Reported Across New York in 2023


HABs Release Highly Toxic Microcystins That Threaten Critical Drinking Water Sources For More Than 10 Million New Yorkers


State Water Pollution Programs Fail to Halt HABs Due to Lax Regulatory Enforcement and Inadequate Cleanup Funding


New Coalition Letter Requests That Governor Hochul Resolve Statewide HABs Crisis as Top Priority to Safeguard Public Health


Toxics Targeting, Inc., an environmental database firm in Ithaca, NY, today posted for public review a statewide map and detailed list of Harmful Algal Blooms reported across New York State so far in 2023. HABs release highly toxic mycrocystins that can cause sickness and death when consumed in drinking water or through direct contact when swimming, boating or other recreational activities.

See Map: Reported Harmful Algal Blooms in New York State (2023) and Reported Harmful Algal Blooms in New York State 2023 List as of 9/12/2023

"New Yorkers will be shocked and dismayed by how many waterbodies in our state are plagued by Harmful Algal Blooms that imperil critical sources of drinking water, local economies and historic communities that attract visitors from all over the world," said Walter Hang, President of Toxics Targeting. "Many of these waterbodies now suffer HABs year after year," Hang added.

According to data obtained from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 186 HABs have been reported in New York in 2023 and threaten critical drinking water supply sources for more than 10 million residents of New York City, Auburn, Syracuse, Skaneateles, Rochester, Albany and dozens of other cities, towns and villages.

Water supply sources with HABs include: Cannonsville Reservoir (NYC/Delware Co.), Owasco Lake (Auburn/Cayuga Co.), Cayuga Lake (Cayuga, Seneca, Tompkins Co.), Skaneateles Lake (Syracuse and Skaneateles/Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland Co.), Hemlock Lake (Rochester/Livingston, Ontario Co.), Basic Creek Reservoir (Albany/Albany Co.), Amawalk Reservoir (NYC/Westchester Co.), Bog Brook Reservoir (NYC/Putnam Co.), DeRuyter Reservoir (Madison, Onondaga Co.), Jamesville Reservoir (Onondaga Co.) as well as Lake George, Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain.

In recent years, Auburn, Skaneateles and Syracuse have come precariously close to not being able to provide drinking water to hundreds of thousands of local residents due to HABs. Until HABs are eliminated, drinking water hazards in New York will only grow worse.

Owasco Lake HABs 9/6/23, Cayuga County DOH 9/8/2023 HABs Update, Owasco Lake HAB pics 9-2023

HABs are caused by excessive nutrients, notably phosphorus, released into lakes, rivers, streams and other waterbodies from sewage discharges and uncontrolled agricultural and stormwater runoff. Phosphorus essentially fertilizes the growth of cyanobacteria that cause HABs. HABs occur in warm weather months and persist until cold weather.

New York's efforts to control HABs are an embarrassing failure. HABs grow more widespread each year. This is because more than 200 polluted lakes, rivers and bays included in the National 303(d) Registry of Impaired Waters have required comprehensive Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) watershed cleanup programs for decades, but to no avail. Cayuga Lake has more HABs than any other waterbody in the state and is the #1 TMDL priority. A TMDL required in 2002 has never been implemented.

See: New York State 303(d) Impaired Waters Map, Cayuga Lake Algae and Weed Pics 7-20-2023, Cayuga Lake Algae and Weed Pics 8-1-2023

"Concerned local government officials, property owners and environmental activists will be sending Governor Hochul a coalition letter which requests that she resolve New York's HABs crisis on a comprehensive basis without further delay," Mr. Hang concluded.

See: Coalition Letter Which Requests That Governor Hochul Take Immediate Regulatory Enforcement Action to Eliminate Harmful Algal Blooms Across New York