Recent sampling comes back non-detect for toxins

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 also
showed non-detectable levels of toxin for all other 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 near-shore 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.
2
• 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.
###