Skip to main content

Utility

  • Become a Subscriber
  • Log in

Main navigation

  • Research
      Column
      Projects
      Current Projects
      Completed Projects
      All Projects
      Programs
      Grants
      Column
      Topics
      Advanced Treatment
      Asset Management
      Biosolids
      Climate Change
      Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)
      Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins
      Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
      Energy Optimization
      Integrated Planning & Water Management
      Column
      Intelligent Water Systems
      Lead & Copper
      Microbes & Pathogens
      Nutrients
      PFAS
      Resource Recovery
      Reuse
      Stormwater
      Utility Management
      Water Use & Efficiency
      All Topics A-Z...
  • Resources
      Case Studies
      COVID-19 Resources
      Upstream Strategies
      Web Tools
      Videos
  • Proposals
      Column
      Apply
      Open RFPs
      Advance Notice
      Column
      Guidelines
      Contract Materials
      Policies
      Proposal Guidelines
      Project Report Guidelines
  • Innovation
      About
      WRF TechLink
      Programs
  • Our Subscribers
      Benefits
      Become A Subscriber
      Your Regional Liaison
  • About Us
      Column
      The Foundation
      Our Story
      Our Mission
      Our Team
      Board of Directors
      Research & Advisory Councils
      Careers
      Contact Us
      Column
      Get Involved
      Participate in Research
      Awards
      Outstanding Subscriber
      Research Innovation
      Paul L. Busch
  • News & Events
      Column
      Upcoming Event
      Column
      News
      eNews
      AWR Magazine
      Press Releases
      Events
      Webcasts
      Workshops & Conferences
Back to Topic List

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)
Login to follow this topic
15 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
2020
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...

View more details
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.

Download

Recent Updates

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 #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 #5071
Demonstration of Progressive Carbon Efficient Nitrogen with...

Reporting Period: May 2021 - December 2021. The ammonia-based aeration control was optimized for the Seneca...

Project Update
04/29/2022
Project #5087
Implementation of Innovative Biological Nutrient Removal...

Reporting Period: July 1, 2021 – January 1, 2022. This is the first project update. The...

Project Update
03/25/2022
Project #5095
EPA Research Grant Annual Report Summary: Mainstream...
Project Update
01/06/2022
Project #5095
Mainstream Deammonification with Biological Phosphorus...

Reporting Period: October 2020 – March 2021. During this project period, a 360 L mainstream nitrogen...

Project Update
07/16/2021
Project #5088
Defining Exposures of Microplastics /Fibers (MPs) in Treated Waters...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2021 – November 1, 2021. The database was populated first with drinking...

Project Update
03/04/2022
Project #5083
Advancing Low Energy Biological Nitrogen and ...

Reporting Period: March 2021 - August 2021. During this period, kick-off meetings with Project Advisory Committee...

Project Update
01/14/2022

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...

WRF Research Presented at 25th International Ozone Association World Congress

eLetter
10/12/2021

The 25th International Ozone Association (IOA) World Congress, held August 30 – September 2, featured presenters from 13 countries discussing how ozone can be used to mitigate global challenges related...

View all Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins News

Resources

Public Plus

Current Methodology for Control of Algae in Surface Reservoirs

Executive Summary
06/01/1987
06/01/1987
Subscriber

Current Methodology for Control of Algae in Surface Reservoirs

Report
#90522
06/01/1987
06/01/1987
Public Plus

Control of Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Water Bodies by Allelochemicals

Executive Summary
11/03/2005
11/03/2005
View all Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins Resources

Related Topics

Link

Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)

Link

Nutrients

Link

Reservoir Management

Link

Source Water Protection

Link

Climate Change

Link

Phosphorus

Link

Nitrogen

Link

Monitoring

Like reading about Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins ?

Login to follow this topic
Subscribe to Newsletter

6666 West Quincy Avenue Denver, CO 80235

1199 North Fairfax Street Suite 900 Alexandria, VA 22314

Social

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Footer menu

Column
Research
Biosolids
Climate Change
Energy Optimization
Integrated Water
Lead & Copper
PFAS
Resource Recovery
Utility Management
All Topics
Column
Projects
Current Projects
Completed Projects
All Projects
Programs
Proposals
Advance Notice
Open RFPs
Guidelines
Column
Resources
Case Studies
Web Tools
Videos
Our Subscribers
Benefits
Become a Subscriber
Your Regional Liaison
Column
News & Events
eNews
Press Releases
Webcasts
Events
About Us
Our Mission
Careers
Our Team
Board of Directors

© 2022 The Water Research Foundation.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Footer - Legal

  • Copyright
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy/Security

Main navigation

  • Research
      Column
      Projects
      Current Projects
      Completed Projects
      All Projects
      Programs
      Grants
      Column
      Topics
      Advanced Treatment
      Asset Management
      Biosolids
      Climate Change
      Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)
      Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins
      Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
      Energy Optimization
      Integrated Planning & Water Management
      Column
      Intelligent Water Systems
      Lead & Copper
      Microbes & Pathogens
      Nutrients
      PFAS
      Resource Recovery
      Reuse
      Stormwater
      Utility Management
      Water Use & Efficiency
      All Topics A-Z...
  • Resources
      Case Studies
      COVID-19 Resources
      Upstream Strategies
      Web Tools
      Videos
  • Proposals
      Column
      Apply
      Open RFPs
      Advance Notice
      Column
      Guidelines
      Contract Materials
      Policies
      Proposal Guidelines
      Project Report Guidelines
  • Innovation
      About
      WRF TechLink
      Programs
  • Our Subscribers
      Benefits
      Become A Subscriber
      Your Regional Liaison
  • About Us
      Column
      The Foundation
      Our Story
      Our Mission
      Our Team
      Board of Directors
      Research & Advisory Councils
      Careers
      Contact Us
      Column
      Get Involved
      Participate in Research
      Awards
      Outstanding Subscriber
      Research Innovation
      Paul L. Busch
  • News & Events
      Column
      Upcoming Event
      Column
      News
      eNews
      AWR Magazine
      Press Releases
      Events
      Webcasts
      Workshops & Conferences

Lift Main Navigation

  • Resources
      Column
      Intelligent Water Systems Challenge
      SEE IT

Utility

  • Become a Subscriber
  • Log in

Lift Utility

  • The Water Research Foundation