Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water
Announcements and Updates
The State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) Division of Drinking Water (Division) shares a responsibility to ensure all public water systems throughout California have access to clean, potable water at all times. The Division achieves this objective by inspecting and evaluating the ability of public water systems to meet state and federal drinking water standards; roviding technical and funding assistance; and, at times, relying on industry, academic and government partnerships to address new technological advances and current public health concerns.
Recently, there has been an increase in reports of harmful algal blooms and potentially associated toxins in California. The State Water Board recognizes that cyanotoxins may present a health concern if present in drinking water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) published non-regulatory drinking water health advisories for two cyanotoxins -- microcystins and cylindrospermopsin. Short-term exposure to these contaminants at or below the advisory levels is not expected to cause adverse health effects.
Along with health advisories, the U.S. EPA has published recommendations and guidelines for public water systems on developing a cyanotoxin management plan and treatment strategies. The Division believes that U.S. EPA’s health advisories adequately protect public health. The Division recommends that California water systems refer to U.S. EPA’s health advisories and associated materials for guidance in managing cyanotoxins. The Division will collaborate with affected water systems on management plan development, public messaging and related matters.
The Division will continue to engage with public water systems, other agencies and other states to address the emerging health concerns associated with cyanotoxins as they relate to California’s drinking water.
Learn more about cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins from additional links below:
- Notification and Response Levels
- Analytical Method Development
- California Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Portal
- Cyanotoxin Tools for Public Water Systems(U.S. EPA)
- Cyanobacteria/Cyanotoxins Basic Information(U.S. EPA)
- Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Harmful Algal Blooms and Cyanobacterial Toxins (U.S. EPA Region 9)
- A Water Utility Manager’s Guide to Cyanotoxins (AWWA/WRF)
- Algal Toxin Risk Assessment and Management Strategic Plan for Drinking Water(U.S. EPA)
- Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) Project (USEPA/NOAA/NASA/USGS)
- Laboratory Information for Cyanotoxin Analyses (SWRCB)
- Risk Communication Tool Kit for Cyanotoxins (WRF)
To contact your local Division of Drinking Water office, please refer to the District Map.
Water systems with an emergency should contact the personnel listed in their current Water Quality Emergency Notification Plan.
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Contact Us
State Water Resources Control Board
Division of Drinking Water
Regulatory Development Unit
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 100
Sacramento, CA 95812-0100
Street Address:
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail us at DDWRegUnit@waterboards.ca.gov.
