The city of Auburn and town of Owasco will receive more than $2 million to upgrade drinking water treatment systems, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.
The funding, according to Cuomo's office, will be used for the "design, engineering and construction of upgrades to the drinking water systems." Both municipalities receive water from Owasco Lake. The lake is a drinking water source for nearly 50,000 people in the Auburn area.Â
"Clean drinking water is a critical component of building healthy communities and this administration is working hard to address emerging threats that place it in jeopardy," Cuomo said in a statement. "This funding will play a critical role in helping address the contamination issues facing the central New York communities that draw their drinking water from Owasco Lake."Â
Owasco Lake water quality issues have existed for years, but there was heightened concern last fall when cyanotoxins from blue-green algae blooms were detected in Auburn and Owasco's drinking water supply.Â
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Cuomo's office said the state Department of Health worked with local agencies to ensure the toxins didn't exceed the health advisory levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The levels of the toxin — shy of the advisory levels of 0.3 micrograms per liter set by the EPA.Â
Once temperatures cooled, the toxins were no longer at detectable levels. But local officials worry that the toxins could return next summer and pose public health problems for those who depend on Owasco Lake for drinking water.Â
Researchers are now for treating toxins in Auburn and Owasco's drinking water supply. A portion of the funding announced by the state Monday includes $150,000 to support the studies. An additional $2 million will be used to implement treatment strategies and make upgrades.Â
Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Keith Batman said the contamination found last fall poses a "real threat" to Auburn and Owasco.Â
"With this funding secured, Cayuga County residents can now be assured that there is a clear path forward," Batman said. "We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership in addressing this problem head on and always working tirelessly to protect the health of communities throughout New York state."Â
The funding announced by Cuomo is separate from a that would support clean water infrastructure improvements throughout New York. The proposal will likely be included in his executive budget proposal due Tuesday.Â
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The state previously awarded $600,000 for Owasco Lake watershed projects in 2015. The funding wasn't allocated until last fall — after the blue-green algae toxins were detected in drinking water supplies.Â
Cuomo's office touted the grant and other water quality efforts, including the launch of the Finger Lakes Water Hub that provides staff to study algal bloom and focus on Owasco Lake watershed projects and other watersheds in the region.Â
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said protecting water quality in the region is a top priority.Â
"We look forward to working with all partners through the Finger Lakes Water Hub to take the lessons we learn in Owasco Lake and advance the necessary water quality improvements throughout the entire Finger Lakes watershed," Seggos said.Â
Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.