Following the reports of algal blooms on Skaneateles Lake, the New York State Department of Health, Onondaga County
Health Department, and the City of Syracuse Department of Water continue to work collaboratively to collect samples to
determine whether there were levels of algal toxin that could impact the municipalities that use Skaneateles Lake as a
public drinking water supply.
Samples tested today at the state’s Wadsworth Lab in Albany found non-detectable results inside the City of Syracuse
Gatehouse located in the Village of Skaneateles. This level is consistent with prior reported sampling at the Gatehouse
and below the health advisory levels for both adults and sensitive populations. Results showed non-detectable levels of
toxin for all samples of water that are representative of drinking water reaching customers of the system, including the
City of Syracuse, the Town of Dewitt, the Village of Skaneateles, the Town of Skaneateles, the Town of Elbridge, the
Village of Elbridge and the Village of Jordan.
Residents in the Village of Skaneateles and the other municipalities which use this drinking water source can continue to
drink the water.
The New York State Department of Health, Onondaga County Health Department and the City of Syracuse Department
of Water will continue enhanced monitoring through daily testing across the system until all samples consistently return
non-detectable results.
State and local officials will remain vigilant on this issue and continue our efforts to update and inform communities in
Onondaga County.
Onondaga County Health Department reminds residents who draw water directly from Skaneateles Lake through nearshore
PRIVATE INTAKES to take the following precautions:
• DO NOT USE the water for potable purposes such as drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth,
preparing food, washing dishes, or for pets.
• Do not use the water for bathing when algae blooms are present near your water intake
To be clear, these recommendations apply only to residents with private intakes; in-home treatments such as boiling,
ultraviolet radiation (UV), and water filtration units do not remove the toxins associated with harmful algal blooms.