“Record-Breaking Toxic Blooms in Finger Lakes: What You Need to Know”

This news article covers the record-breaking toxic blooms of cyanobacteria in the Finger Lakes region during the 2024 season. The article highlights the significant increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes such as Seneca, Canandaigua, Skaneateles, and Cayuga, with each lake reporting over 100 blooms. The outbreaks began earlier than usual in June and persisted through late October, causing widespread streaks of green water in the lakes.

The article also discusses the impact of these toxic blooms on swimmers, pets, and lakeshore homeowners who rely on the lakes for drinking water. It mentions the detection of cyanotoxins in the public drinking water of Auburn and the Town of Owasco, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing filtering systems in protecting public health.

Local officials, including Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino and State Sen. Rachel May, have been advocating for more state support to address the threat of HABs, particularly in regulating agricultural runoff that contributes to the nutrient pollution fueling the blooms. The article also mentions a lawsuit filed against state departments for their alleged lax regulation of farm runoff.

Furthermore, the article highlights the efforts of water systems in the region to monitor and prevent cyanotoxins from contaminating public drinking water. It discusses the challenges faced by lakeside property owners in purifying water contaminated with cyanotoxins and recommends solutions such as activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis.

Overall, the article provides a detailed and well-researched account of the 2024 toxic blooms in the Finger Lakes, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations and proactive measures to protect public health and the environment.