Officials say drinking water ‘continues to be safe’ despite harmful algal bloom
Despite the presence of “a massive” algal bloom in the Hudson River estuary, officials from the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (DCWWA) say residential drinking water “continues to be safe.”
“Testing shows that the Hyde Park Regional Water Treatment Plant is effectively removing algal toxins before any water is distributed to customers,” DCWWA Operators said. “No toxins have been detected in the finished drinking water, which remains safe for drinking, cooking, bathing, and all other uses.”
The Hudson 7, a coalition of local municipalities that rely on the Hudson River for drinking water – including the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck – said that a rapid response testing of treatment plants helped “ensure that tap water stays safe.”
“Thanks to the strength of our partnerships, and the skill of our county and state Departments of Health, we were able to respond quickly to this unprecedented event, and increase our preparedness for future events,” said officials from the Village of Rhinebeck. “Unfortunately, climate scientists have warned that seasonal droughts such as the one we are experiencing are likely to be more frequent and intense, which means we need to assume that this could happen again.”
Exposure to algal toxins in untreated water can cause gastrointestinal, skin, or respiratory issues.
Last week samples taken from the river showed that while the presence of harmful aglal bloom contamination increased slightly in the river at one testing site, it was “below the detection limit” in samples from the finished drinking water.
Sampling in the DCWWA will continue twice weekly until results confirm that the HAB is no longer present in the source water.
The algal bloom – the largest bloom detected in Cary’s 40 years of monitoring the Hudson River – has been confirmed as Microcystis, a cyanobacteria that can produce toxins that are harmful to people, pets, and wildlife. Officials say people and pets should avoid waters affected by harmful algal blooms, as their toxins can be inhaled, ingested, or cause skin irritation. Dogs are particularly at risk, as they’re more likely to drink contaminated water.
The New York State Department of Conservation has confirmed additional harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Hudson River near Beacon, Hyde Park, Tivoli, and Hudson, as well as in the Wallkill River and Rondout Creek, which feed into the Hudson near Kingston.
Researchers are looking into possible causes for this bloom, including the impacts of warmer water temperatures, wastewater runoff, and regional drought conditions on the water’s chemical balance.
“The magnitude and extent of this cyanobacteria bloom is unprecedented, and concerning,” says Dr. Chris Solomon, a senior scientist and aquatic ecologist at Cary Institute. “While Microcystis is often observed in the Hudson, and sometimes produces blooms, this is by far the largest bloom we have observed.”
Report HABs + exposure effects
Riverkeeper scientists are documenting this HAB. If anyone who had exposure (swimming, boating) in recent days is feeling adverse health effects (sore throat, itching eyes or skin, respiratory issues, upset stomach), please seek medical attention and then email watchdogreport@riverkeeper.org with the details of your exposure and your condition. The drinking water sourced from the Hudson is being monitored by NYS DOH to ensure treated water remains safe.
If you notice algal blooms on the Hudson or other waterways, report them using NYS DEC’s Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form, or email HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov. Close-up and landscape photos aid in identification and help document the extent of impacts. To view an interactive map of confirmed HABs in New York State, visit the NY HABs System.
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