Scientists predict that climate change will have various effects on freshwater environments. This includes catalyzing harmful algal blooms to occur more often in more water bodies, and to be more intense when combined with nutrient loading. This summer, due to increasing temperatures and drought conditions, we saw harmful algae blooms impact many of our water bodies in Colorado. Harmful algae blooms or toxic algae are made up of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. These types of algae in drinking water sources can cause the water to taste or smell bad. Taste and odor are not regulated under the primary drinking water regulations but certainly can create customer concerns about water quality and safety. In addition to taste and odor problems, toxic algae can create a public health risk when they produce toxins.
The only way to be certain if an algae bloom is toxic is to run specific water tests. The Colorado Laboratory Services Division is one lab that can complete these tests. Removing toxins in a safe and cost-effective way can be a challenge for treatment facilities and not all of them are equipped to do so. Drinking water providers can contact the Water Quality Control Division at 303-692-3500 with questions about toxic algae. We can assist water providers that experience taste and odor problems and toxins. This includes ideas about customer communication and the appropriate steps utilities can take to monitor and manage toxic algae and effectively treat their drinking water. Our toxic algae webpage has resources to help drinking water providers and
recreational water managers with toxic algae monitoring and response.➽ David Dani, Emerging Contaminants Coordinator
