Harmful Algal Blooms in Owasco Lake threaten water supply

OWASCO N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– The Cayuga County Health Department found toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Owasco Lake water treatment plants.

Both Auburn and Owasco detected microcystins in their finished drinking water.

There were .23 micrograms per liter detected at the Auburn filtration plant and .26 micrograms per liter at the Owasco filtration plant. The Cayuga County Health Department stated that the water remains safe.

If the microcystin numbers continue to rise above the .3 microgram per liter threshold for an extended period, Cayuga County may consider a no-drink order.

Before Wednesday night’s, Oct. 9, press conference at Auburn’s City Hall, another test was performed in the Auburn Filtration Plant and no microcystins were detected but residents are still concerned about the future.

Homeowner on Owasco Lake of 44 years, Bill Phillips first saw these blooms floating around 10 years ago and they have been returning every since. From that moment, he has noticed a tremendous number of changes on Owasco Lake.

The culprit of the lake’s change he calls “nutrient loading,” which is “septic systems, it’s farm runoff, it’s runoff from our roads, it’s fertilizing our grass with the wrong materials,” said Phillips.

This water, which 45,000 people rely on daily, also can look like pea soup when contaminated.

The Mayor of Auburn, Jim Giannettino, claims “This is the worst year yet. The lake this year was green. The question is what happens if we get to a point where we can’t drink the water? And I don’t want to think about that because that’s a very scary thought.”

If microcystin in the tap water keeps growing, you will not be able to drink the tap water from Owasco Lake. Although it hasn’t reached this point, it will become a problem if not handled. And if you drink water with these toxins, you can become very ill.

Expert Walter Hang of Toxins Targeting claims “If you are elderly, if you have compromised health, your immune response system isn’t as strong as others. You would have to be concerned.”

This community continues to wait for the state to join the fight to keep this lake clean.