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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)
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12 Projects 1 Web Tool 8 Webcasts
Nutrients
Compounds 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 #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: September 18, 2019 - August 20, 2020. The three in-person workshops have been reformulated...

Project Update
09/23/2020
Project #4975
Practices to Enhance Internal Fermentation of Side-Stream Secondary...

Reporting Period: January 2020 - June 2020. The focus of WRF project 4975 during the previous...

Project Update
08/12/2020
Project #4973
Guidelines for Optimizing Nutrient Removal Plant ...

Reporting Period: January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. During this period, the research team completed...

Project Update
08/04/2020
Project #4975
Practices to Enhance Internal Fermentation of Side-Stream Secondary...

Reporting Period: July 2019 - January 2020. The focus of project 4975 during the first six...

Project Update
04/08/2020

News

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 Wins EPA Grant to Reduce Nutrients for Harmful Algal Blooms Management 

Press Release
09/22/2020

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $1 million in funding awarded to The Water Research Foundation to lead a critical project to reduce nutrients for harmful...

WRF Announces the Release of RFPs for 12 Research Projects

Press Release
08/17/2020

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has released Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for 12 new projects funded through WRF’s Research Priority Program. This strategic program enables WRF to address broadly relevant...

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
Subscriber

Control of Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Water Bodies by Allelochemicals

Report
#2904
11/03/2005
11/03/2005
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.

View more details
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...

View more details
Project #4094

Alternative and Innovative Methods for Source Water Management of Algae and Cyanobacteria

Completed

This project evaluated a range of alternative and innovative techniques for control of algae and cynobacteria that have potential for application in drinking water reservoirs. Research partner: WQRA...

View more details
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...

View more details
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...

View more details
Project #5038

2019 Roadmap Workshop on Prioritizing Permitting and Linkages Research in Water Quality

In Progress

This project will develop a roadmap workshop to identify and foster research priorities exploring the linkages between receiving body water quality and inputs such as wastewater discharges, nonpoint...

View more details

Related Topics

Link

Compounds of Emerging Concern (CECs)

Link

Nutrients

Link

Reservoir Management

Link

Source Water Protection

Link

Climate Change

Link

Phosphorus

Link

Nitrogen

Link

Monitoring

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