Harmful Algal Blooms Information

HABs know it, avoid it, report it
HABs know it, avoid it, report it

The City of Auburn works in partnership with the Cayuga County Health Department to communicate issues related to our public drinking water supply in the event harmful algal blooms (HABs) impact our drinking water supply.

The source of public drinking water for the City of Auburn is Owasco Lake. The Cayuga County Health Department collects untreated and treated water samples from the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco’s water treatment plants to monitor for toxins associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) when they appear on Owasco Lake.

The City of Auburn was able to install a power activated carbon (PAC) treatment system at the water intake pumping station and this system became operational in early August 2017. The power activated carbon treatment system is used seasonally when harmful algal blooms are detected in Owasco Lake.  The PAC treatment system was activated on August 14, 2023 for the season and will remain operational through the harmful algal bloom season.


Stay Informed:

To keep up to date with all of the latest available information from the Cayuga County Health Department visit the health department's Harmful Algal Bloom webpage: https://www.cayugacounty.us/742/Harmful-Algal-Blooms

To view the Cayuga County Health Department's Harmful Algal Bloom Frequently Asked Questions document: https://www.cayugacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/23432/2023-Harmful-Algal-Blooms-FAQs

To view the 2023 Drinking Water Sampling Data: https://www.cayugacounty.us/1833/2023-Drinking-Water-Sampling-Data

To view press releases from the Cayuga County Health Department: https://www.cayugacounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=11


New York State Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Notifications Page


Other resources available from our local, state and federal government agencies regarding harmful algal blooms:

The Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Program tracks and reports the development of harmful algal blooms on Owasco Lake. Owasco Lake is the source of public water supply for public water users supplied by the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco. The City of Auburn provides public water to residents in the City of Auburn, the Towns of Aurelius, Fleming Water District 6, Throop, Mentz, Brutus, Montezuma, Sennett, Springport Water District 2, and the Villages of Port Byron, Weedsport, and Cayuga. The Town of Owasco provides public water to residents in the Town of Owasco and Town of Fleming Water District.


The following webpages contain educational information on Harmful Algal Blooms: