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Low levels of harmful algae toxins were detected in some drinking water distributed from Skaneateles Lake, according to a statement from the state Department of Health, Onondaga County Health Department and the city of Syracuse Department of Water on Wednesday. Meanwhile, toxin and chlorophyll levels in Owasco Lake’s blooms are high, though the city of Auburn and town of Owasco’s treatment systems appear to be keeping the drinking water clear.
The toxin detection came from the village of Skaneateles’ water sample.
Cayuga County Health Department Director Kathleen Cuddy said seven households in the town of Sennett on Depot Road get their water from a public supply through the lake, too.
Water operators are working closely with DOH to not only monitor the algae but also the levels of chlorine.
Cuddy said while it’s unfortunate that Owasco Lake was the first to experience harmful algal bloom toxins in the drinking water, her department has been able to share its knowledge with surrounding county health departments, including Onondaga County.
Meanwhile, water from Owasco Lake entering the city of Auburn’s treatment plant showed detectable levels of the toxin at 0.18 micrograms per liter, according to the Cayuga County Health Department’s latest test results from samples collected on Monday.
Cuddy said the department is sticking to testing the water three times per week, only going to daily testing if toxins were detected in the drinking water.

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE (August 15, 2017) – Harmful algal blooms known to pose risks to human and environmental health in large freshwater reservoirs and lakes are projected to increase because of climate change, according to a team of researchers led by a Tufts University scientist.
The team developed a modeling framework that predicts that the largest increase in cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) would occur in the Northeast region of the United States, but the biggest economic harm would be felt by recreation areas in the Southeast.
The research, which is published in print today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, is part of larger, ongoing efforts among scientists to quantify and monetize the degree to which climate change will impact and damage various U.S. sectors.
"Our study shows that higher water temperature, changes in rainfall, and increased nutrient inputs will combine to cause more frequent occurrence of harmful algal blooms in the future," he added.
Throughout their 3.5 billion-year-old evolutionary history, these organisms have proven resilient and adaptable to a wide range of climates.
It is among the few studies to combine climate projections with a hydrologic/water quality network model of U.S. lakes and reservoirs.
Finally, these water flows and reservoir states are entered into a water quality model to simulate a number of water quality characteristics, including cyanobacteria concentrations, in each of the nation’s waterbodies.
The end result is a framework that can predict the combined impact of climate, population growth, and other factors on future water quality for different U.S. regions.
The research was supported by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. National Science Foundation, and access to the reservoir datasets from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Environmental Science & Technology.

Toxic algae warning upgraded to ‘danger’ at Lake San Antonio.
The Monterey County Health Department upgraded its algae warning for Lake San Antonio South Shore to “danger” on Saturday, noting the presence of harmful algal blooms in the water.
The notice gives the following warnings: ▪ While you can swim in the water, stay away from algae and scum.
▪ Don’t let pets and other animals go into or drink the water or eat scum on the shore.
The health department also notified water consumers on the San Antonio Lake Park South Shore Water System of possible water contamination because of the algae bloom, advising that bottled water should be used for all drinking and cooking.
Two dogs died last week after swimming in an affected pond in Napa County.
The California Department of Public Health says blue-green algae blooms occur most often in warmer months, and notes that dogs as well as sea otters have died as a result of toxic algae in past years.
Tribune reporter Lucas Clark and Sacramento Bee reporter Don Sweeney contributed to this story.
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