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Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins

Aquatic microscopic algae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occur naturally in most surface waters, however certain nutrient and temperature conditions can lead them to rapidly multiply, leading to “blooms.” Under certain conditions, some species of cyanobacteria can produce toxic secondary metabolites or cyanotoxins, which may pose health risks to humans and animals. Even when algae is not toxic, it can produce unpleasant tastes and odors.

Cyanobacteria continue to be one of the most problematic organisms in our fresh water systems—with nearly a third of the United States reporting blooms. Without clear guidance or consensus regulations in place, many utilities struggle with responding to events. Since 1994, WRF has completed more than 30 research projects on these microscopic organisms and the cyanotoxins they produce, helping facilities detect, monitor, and manage these nuisance organisms—as well as communicate with the public.

Questions? Contact Erin Swanson, Research Program Manager, at (303) 347-6108 .

Topic Overview (PDF)
14 Projects 1 Web Tool 6 Webcasts
Nutrients
Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)
Reservoir Management
Source Water Protection
Project #4738

Benthic Cyanobacteria: An Aesthetic and Toxic Risk to Be Evaluated

$50,000
Completed

Project Highlights

While management of the risks from pelagic cyanobacteria are well established, there are no protocols for management of risk caused by benthic cyanobacteria. Recent research shows that benthic cyanobacteria are potentially major sources of taste and odour compounds, and toxins...

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Principal Investigator
Claire
McInnes
Research Manager
Dr. Djanette Khiari

Managing Cyanotoxins

This state of the science document provides a helpful overview of the issues surrounding cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, and also details WRF's extensive research on this topic, which dates back to the early 1990s.

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Recent Updates

Project #4920
Decision Support Framework for Drinking Water Treatment Plants...

Reporting Period: November 16, 2020 – April 15, 2020. In this reporting period, the project team...

Project Update
06/28/2021
Project #4914
Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events; Case Studies and...

Reporting Period: December 2020 – March 2021. During this project period, the planned in-person World Café...

Project Update
05/28/2021
Project #4914
Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events: Case Studies and...

Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 – September 1, 2020. During this period, the team created an...

Project Update
03/19/2021
Project #4920
Decision Support Framework for Drinking Water Treatment Plants...

During this reporting period, the research team continued to refine the Decision Support Framework (DSF) conceptual...

Project Update
09/25/2019
Project #4972
Expanding the Use of Wastewater Epidemiology Tools to Improve Water...

Reporting Period: February 2021 – June 2021. During this period, ERG worked with its sister company...

Project Update
08/13/2021
Project #4974
Holistic Approach to Improved Nutrient ...

Reporting Period: December 1, 2020 - March 1, 2021. A series of webinars was conducted in...

Project Update
04/02/2021
Project #4973
Guidelines for Optimizing Nutrient Removal Plant ...

Reporting Period: July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. During this project period, the research team...

Project Update
02/11/2021
Project #4974
Holistic Approach to Improved Nutrient ...

Reporting Period: June 1 - September 1, 2020. During this project period, the research team prepared...

Project Update
11/20/2020
Project #4974
Holistic Approach to Improved Nutrient ...

Reporting Period: September 18, 2019 - August 20, 2020. The three in-person workshops have been reformulated...

Project Update
09/23/2020
Project #5042
Assessing Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance Release from Finished...

Reporting Period: June 1, 2020—August 10, 2020. Data processing is complete for baseline quantification of PFAS...

Project Update
08/13/2020

News

WRF Funds Seven New Research Projects

Press Release
05/20/2021

The Water Research Foundation Funds Seven New Projects Volunteers Needed, RFPs Coming in August The Water Research Foundation (WRF) will soon post Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and is seeking volunteers...

Linkages in Receiving Water Quality

05/22/2020

The development of scientifically sound nutrient goals (e.g., TMDLs and site‐specific numeric criteria) that produce ecologically relevant outcomes remains one of the highest‐profile challenges facing states and the regulated community...

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Resources

View all Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins Resources

Related Projects

Project #53

Current Methodology for the Control of Algae in Surface Reservoirs

Completed

Identifies and documents physical and chemical technologies for controlling algae in drinking water reservoirs, with particular emphasis on copper. Published in 1987.

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Project #2746

Addressing Concerns About Tastes and Odors and Cyanotoxins in Tap Water

Completed

Develops a multi-barrier management plan to control taste-and-odor problems. Implements several algae control measures to reduce other algae-related problems such as potential health-related problems caused by algal biotoxins...

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Project #925

Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algal) Toxins: A Resource Guide

Completed

Summarizes international experiences with algal toxins into a comprehensive resource document for water utilities. Includes chapters on the production of toxins, health effects and risk assessment, monitoring and...

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Project #4716

Refinement and Standardization of Cyanotoxin Analytical Techniques for Drinking Water

In Progress

At present, there is uncertainty relating to the state of the art for screening and confirmation of cyanotoxin samples. Water utilities need robust and dependable methods in order...

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Project #5080

Assessment of Vulnerability of Source Waters to Toxic Cyanobacterial Outbreaks

In Progress

While it is known that the growth of cyanobacteria in lakes and reservoirs is favored by high nutrient concentrations, elevated temperatures, thermal stratification, and high levels of sunlight...

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Project #4920

Decision Support Framework for Drinking Water Treatment Plants Experiencing Lake Recovery

In Progress

Drinking water treatment plants were historically designed to address a narrow range of water quality parameters, and are often not easily able to adapt to changes in source...

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Related Topics

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Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)

Link

Reservoir Management

Link

Source Water Protection

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Climate Change

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