Cyanobacteria

We’re looking to learn more about conditions on Vermont’s lakes – You can help!

• Practice -Process For Managing Anatoxin, Cylindrospermopsin, and Microcystin Detections in Raw and Finished Water Samples For Public Surface Water Systems
• Vermont Drinking Water Systems Now Sampling for Blue-Green Algae Toxins   (Press Release: July 2015)

Cyanobacteria are photosynthesizing bacteria that may produce cyanotoxins that can cause illness to exposed human and animal populations.   A bloom is a visually identified concentration of cyanobacteria that discolors the water.  Cyanobacterial cells may be found at the water surface, at a defined depth, or present throughout the water column. 

Summer 2018, marked the the fourth year DWGWPD collaborated with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), to offer at no cost cyanotoxin analysis of raw and finished water at the VDH laboratory for the 22 Lake Champlain-sourced public water systems for 12 weeks (July through September).  

2018 Program

Week One:  July 13, 2018 Cyanotoxin Monitoring Results 

Cyanobacteria Importance to Drinking Water Facilities

Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are common native organisms in lakes, ponds and rivers around the world.  In Vermont, they can be found in any water body, river or stream.  Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins and these toxins have been documented in some Vermont lakes.  Cyanobacteria are not always toxic and it is not possible to tell by looking if toxins are present.  For this reason, the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont DEC recommend that everyone avoid contact with cyanobacteria.