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Warning on Harmful Algae Bloom in Cayuga Lake
Elizabeth Thomas <supervisor@ulysses.ny.us> Jul 31, 2017 5:19 PM
Posted in group: town-of-Ulysses
Hello Ulysses residents,
The following important press release is from the Tompkins County Health Department regarding the safety of an
algae bloom in Cayuga Lake. We are trying to find more answers.
IF YOU LIVE ON THE LAKE and draw water directly from the lake, please do not drink that water. UV filters and
boiling do not make the water safe. Suspected algae blooms have been reported throughout Cayuga Lake. There
are many links and attached photo of a bloom from Seneca Lake.
Please read on....
(Ithaca, N.Y., July 31, 2017) – Blue-green algae blooms, also known as HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms), have been visually
identified in the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed
blooms on each side of the lake. The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) and the DEC are regularly monitoring the
situation. We appreciate the information and photographs reported to date by members of the public.
If you are planning to host a water event, please contact Environmental Health for guidance: 607-274-6688.
HABs: Know it. Avoid it. Report it.
Know it.
· It might be harmful blue-green algae if you see: strongly colored water, paint-like appearance,
floating mats or scum.
· View these images for examples: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/81962.html
Avoid it.
· If you’re not on a public water supply, household water treatment such as Ultraviolet (UV), boiling or
chlorinating will not make your water safe for use. During a bloom, do not drink, prepare food, cook, or
make ice with water from the lake or from beach wells.
· Never drink untreated surface water.
·Visually monitor the water near your beach well daily and call Environmental Health with
questions: 607-274-6688.
· Never swim, fish, boat, wade or eat fish caught in water with blooms.
· If you see a bloom, avoid it and wait 24 hours after the bloom is no longer visible before swimming
or having contact with the water.
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· Pet owners should keep their pets away from water experiencing algae blooms. If animals ingest the
toxins either through drinking or cleaning their fur after exposure, they can become sick quickly. Call
your veterinarian if your pet comes in contact with a bloom.
Report it.
· If you see a suspicious bloom, stay out of the water and report the bloom to the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation at HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov.
What to do if contact occurs with blue-green algae:
·Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae, including dogs that may have gone in the water.
· Stop using water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as vomiting, nausea,
diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties occur after drinking or
having contact with blooms or untreated surface water.
· Report any HAB-related health symptoms to the NYS Health Department
at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or call the Tompkins County Health Department at (607) 274-6604.
The Health Department is working closely with operators of bathing beaches. Beaches may be closed due to the presence of
HABs. Please contact the facility operator directly for more information.
The Health Department is also working closely with public water supplies. There is no concern with public water supplies at this
time.
To learn more about HABs, click here: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/
For more information about the Health Department go to http://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health. Also, follow us on Facebook
athttps://www.facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth/.
--
Elizabeth Thomas
Town Supervisor, Town of Ulysses
10 Elm St.
Trumansburg, NY
(607) 387-5767 ext 232
(607) 279-0675 cell
supervisor@ulysses.ny.us
Alternate: liz.graeper.thomas@gmail.com
Warning on Harmful Algae Bloom in Cayuga Lake - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/6FKgi83tja...
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