New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald today reminded New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms, or "HABs," as the 2025 HABs notification season starts. DEC's New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active, providing New Yorkers the ability to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically via a simple user- and mobile phone-friendly form.

“DEC is committed to continuing its nation leading work to address harmful algal blooms in New York’s waterbodies and lessen the negative impacts they can pose to water quality,” said Acting Commissioner Lefton. “We work closely with DOH on these efforts and reporting any sightings through the NYHABS notification system is a key component in our goal to minimize the frequency of HABs and allow for a more effective response in these areas.” 

DEC and DOH evaluate HAB reports and once confirmed, reports are posted to the NYHABS page. The page hosts resources such as the online HABs map and reporting system, which features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed about potential HABs.

While cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in the environment, certain conditions lead to accumulations that become HABs. Blooms are likely triggered by a combination of factors that include excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and warm temperatures. HAB occurrence and reporting typically increase throughout the season with the most reports received during the warmest months of August and September. Regardless of the presence of toxins, HABs can pose a risk to public health.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “As we enter the summer months and people find themselves enjoying New York State’s waters, we encourage them to avoid and report any Harmful Algal Blooms as they can cause health effects in both people and pets. The Department will continue our work with local water suppliers, beach operators, and the Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor for Harmful Algal Blooms so that we may protect drinking water and recreational use of our freshwaters.”

When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to “KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT.”

KNOW IT - HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.

AVOID IT - People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.

REPORT IT - If members of the public suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC's website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to DOH at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.

Public awareness of HABs, what they look like, and potential impacts of HABs is a key element of protecting public health. DEC strives to provide resources such as HAB warning signs to be posted locally and encourages reporting to NYHABS as a central piece of raising public awareness on where and when HABs are occurring. DEC’s research on statewide HAB trends suggests successful outreach and increased public awareness is an important reason why DEC confirms HAB occurrence on new waterbodies each year.  

For more information about HABs, including bloom notifications updated daily through fall, visit DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage. The HAB Program Guide, which includes information and links to resources regarding bloom prevention, management, and control, can also be downloaded from the DEC website. Visit DOH's website for DOH’s public health information.  

Using the most up-to-date research on controllable causes, DEC established a holistic approach to managing and reducing HABs in the state that combines long- and short-term strategies along with advancing research. DEC’s approach includes: 

• Deliberate Clean Water Planning to improve nutrient reduction efforts;  

• Funding to implement nutrient reduction;  

• Applied research on HABs; and  

• Short-term HAB mitigation efforts.

Reducing the amount of nutrients in New York’s waters remains a key factor in statewide efforts to address HABs. At the end of 2024, DEC released draft Nutrient Guidance Values for public comment. Once finalized, the guidance values and proposed updates to Technical and Operational Guidance Series (TOGS) 1.1.1: Ambient Water Quality Standards and Guidance Values and Groundwater Effluent Limitations along with updates to TOGS 1.3.6: Phosphorus Removal for Wastewater Discharges will provide an important expansion of nutrient reduction efforts as a key controllable cause of HABs.  

To date, New York State awarded more than $530 million in grants designed to reduce the frequency of algal blooms across the state by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, controllable factors that can contribute to the occurrence of HABs, and more than $14.4 million to research and development, pilot projects, and advanced HABs monitoring.  

Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul is focusing on restoring recreational opportunities in Chautauqua Lake. Capital investments are supporting a study to determine the extent and severity of internal phosphorus loading, advanced monitoring and development of a TMDL watershed implementation plan. Sampling to support this work will begin in Spring/Summer 2025. For more information visit DEC’s webpage Chautauqua Lake Watershed - NYSDEC. 

DEC continues to incorporate HAB monitoring into its core water quality monitoring programs such as the Lake Classification and Inventory Program. These programs conduct HAB monitoring statewide to complement data and information generated by NYHABS, carry out surveys to characterize statewide conditions, and help identify occurrences of HABs that inform statewide HAB trends analyses. These data, available in DEC’s updated Division of Water Monitoring Portal, along with applied research efforts, provide insight into management of HABs and water quality issues across New York. DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage provides access to these research efforts targeting management of HABs in addition to information on understanding HABs, potential health risks, and efforts to develop plans to reduce nutrients as the main controllable factor driving HABs. Additionally, DEC published its HABs Research Guide to inform statewide research priorities.

Further, earlier this year Governor Hochul announced grant awards totaling $102 million to 53 planning and implementation projects aimed at nutrient reduction to help reduce the occurrence of HABs through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG). Grant project types that target reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution include wastewater treatment, non-agricultural nonpoint abatement and control, and land acquisition for source water protection. These grants are now open for 2025 applications as part of the recently announced Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). At least $75 million in funding is available through WQIP and up to $3 million in funding is available through NPG. 

New York's Commitment to Water Quality   

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the recently Enacted 2025-26 State Budget, New York will have invested a record $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. The budget also included an increase to the EPF for a record total of $425 million. Initiatives in Governor Hochul’s State of the State are ensuring ongoing coordination with local governments and helping communities to leverage these investments. Governor Hochul announced $435 million in grants to 102 projects in November, featuring increased awards for wastewater projects for smaller, disadvantaged communities. The Governor also expanded the State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s (EFC) Community Assistance Teams to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC.