Managing Algal Toxins in Drinking Water

HABs, particularly those producing toxins, can pose health risks to humans and animals through drinking water exposure. They can also create taste and odor problems in drinking water.  While conventional water treatment can remove cyanobacterial cells and low levels of cyanotoxins from source waters, severe blooms require proactive planning and active management to reduce the risks of cyanotoxins in finished drinking water. To assist public water systems with prevention, detection, and management of cyanotoxins in drinking water, the EPA has developed drinking water advisories for cylindrospermopsin and microcystins; facilitated access of tools to prepare management plans, treat, monitor, and communicate the risks of blooms; and prepared a summary of water treatment methods to remove intact cells and toxins of important cyanobacteria toxins. The EPA also fulfills its role to protect drinking water by monitoring and assessing the risks of contaminants, including cyanotoxins, in drinking water.

• Managing Cyanotoxins in Public Drinking Water Systems
• EPA Drinking Water Health Advisories for Cyanotoxins
• Cyanotoxin Management Tools for Public Water Systems
• Summary of Cyanotoxins Treatment in Drinking Water
• Cyanotoxins and the Safe Drinking Water Act: Drinking Water Protection Act, Contaminant Candidate List and the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule