‘NOT A GOOD PARTNER’: Auburn mayor critical of NYS, urges action after harmful toxins found in water samples

Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino is calling on state officials to address growing concerns over Owasco Lake’s water quality after harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins were detected in the drinking water supply for the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Giannettino urged swift state action, highlighting the urgent need for long-term solutions to protect the region’s water.

“This is the first time we’ve seen elevated toxins in our finished drinking water since installing the powder-activated carbon system,” Giannettino said. Tests from Auburn’s water supply showed 0.23 micrograms per liter of HAB toxins, while Owasco’s water showed 0.26 micrograms per liter. Though the water remains within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety standards, the situation has left the community on edge.

“We’re testing the water twice a week, and while it’s safe to drink now, the ambiguity and uncertainty around these toxins worry us every October,” he added. Tests as of Wednesday revealed that the water is still safe to drink.

The mayor’s concerns stretch beyond immediate safety, pointing to a broader issue with Owasco Lake and other Finger Lakes, which have been affected by HABs for several years. Giannettino criticized state officials for failing to implement a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a pollution budget that is required by law to manage nutrient pollution in the lake.

“The state has not been a good partner in this,” Giannettino said. “We’ve done everything asked of us, and still, there’s no action from the state to protect our water.”

Giannettino’s frustrations have been compounded by years of efforts to secure state assistance. He emphasized that Auburn and Owasco have been transparent and proactive, but the state has not responded with the urgency required to address the issue. The mayor also reiterated his request for Governor Kathy Hochul to visit Auburn and meet with local officials to address the water quality concerns affecting 45,000 residents.

“The state needs to step up and follow the law,” Giannettino said. “Governor Hochul has said that every New Yorker has the right to clean drinking water, and we’re asking her to act on that promise.”

Environmental expert Walter Hang, who spoke alongside Giannettino, described the current situation as a “regulatory crisis.” Hang, president of Toxics Targeting, an environmental database firm, criticized both the state and the EPA for their lack of action in addressing the HAB issue, which has impacted numerous water bodies across New York.

“This is irresponsible government,” Hang said, noting that more than 1,900 individual HABs have been confirmed statewide in 2024 alone, a sharp increase from previous years. “Until we get a comprehensive TMDL in place for Owasco Lake and other affected lakes, this problem will only get worse.”

Hang emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of the Clean Water Act to address nutrient pollution, which fuels the harmful blooms. He also warned that relying on voluntary cleanup programs without regulatory enforcement would not provide meaningful solutions.

While the immediate drinking water supply remains safe, Giannettino acknowledged growing public concern. He urged the community to continue pressing the state government for action.

“People are asking me every day, ‘What’s going on with the water? Why isn’t the state helping us?’” Giannettino said. “This is not just about clean water—this is about our economy, our health, and our future.”

The city continues to monitor the water quality closely, and officials remain hopeful that state intervention will come before the situation worsens.