Cyanobacteria/Cyanotoxins

AWWA Resources on Cyanobacteria/Cyanotoxins

cyanotoxins

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are photosynthetic bacteria that can live in many types of water.

They are important primary producers (organisms that make energy directly from the sun) in aquatic ecosystems. While critical to water and soil resources, excessive cyanobacteria growth can cause ecological and public health concerns, including producing cyanotoxins.

Related Resources:

Source Water Protection

AWWA Manuals

M57 Algae: Source to Treatment

Additional Resources

CyanoTOX® Version 3.0 is an oxidation calculator designed to help utilities evaluate how treatment adjustments (such as pH, oxidant dose, and contact time) may influence degradation of individual cyanotoxins and some groups of cyanotoxins. The latest version maintains the ability to model the oxidative removal of extracellular toxins under various conditions (3 toxins, 5 oxidants, pH, temp, etc). New in this version is an additional module to model intracellular and extracellular toxins throughout a water treatment plant. New capabilities include release of intracellular toxins, three zones of oxidation, PAC carbon adsorption, settling of solids, biofiltration/GAC and other features.

Managing Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance Manual for Drinking Water Professionals

Water Utility Managers Guide To Cyanotoxins

Cyanotoxins in US Drinking Water: Occurrence, Case Studies and State Approaches to Regulation

Testing Protocols for Site-Specific Oxidation Assessments

Testing Protocols for Site-Specific Powdered Activated Carbon Assessments

Powdered Activated Carbon Calculator for Site-Specific Assessments

AWWA testimony on 2015 Drinking Water Protection Act

Enactment of 2015 Drinking Water Protection Act

You may also search decades of articles on this or other topics published in the Journal AWWA, Opflow and AWWA Water Science

Conferences

2021 Water Quality Technology Conference, Tacoma, WA, Nov. 7-10

AWWA Policy Statements

AWWA's policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA's position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.

Technical Committee Engagement

AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events.Access more information on volunteering for an AWWA committee.

The following committees are active in addressing cyanobacteria issues:

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