Water Group Issues Guide on Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water

Guidance on managing cyanotoxins in drinking water has been released to help water utility managers deal with the unregulated contaminants, the American Water Works Association said Sept. 12.

The toxins come from cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae. They are kept under control by some drinking water utilities, but if a utility is not prepared, the toxins can lead to a temporary warning for people to stop drinking the water, as happened in Toledo, Ohio, in the summer of 2014.

Protection of source water is a basic strategy option for regulators, but a difficult one. The growth of cyanobacteria often is ...