Joint Statement From the New York State Department of Health, Onondaga County Health Department and City of Syracuse Department of Water

“Last night, the New York State Department of Health, Onondaga County Health Department and the City of Syracuse Department of Water conducted expanded, confirmatory sampling throughout the water system served by Skaneateles Lake, after initial testing revealed .26 parts per billion of algal toxin in the finished water sample from the Village of Skaneateles.

“Although that level was below the EPA’s 10-day health advisory level of .3 parts per billion for sensitive populations and well below the EPA advisory level for adults of 1.6 parts per billion, the expanded testing was necessary to monitor the situation and confirm the levels present in the systems served by this public drinking water supply.

“Samples tested today at the state’s Wadsworth Lab in Albany found .25 parts per billion in the finished water sample from the Village of Skaneateles, a level consistent with prior sampling and below the health advisory levels for both adults and sensitive populations. All other locations in the water system – including the City of Syracuse, the Town of Dewitt, the Town of Skaneateles, the Village of Elbridge, and the Village of Jordan – showed non-detectable levels of algal toxins in finished water. 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-detect results.

“State and local officials will remain vigilant on this issue and continue our efforts to update and inform communities in Onondaga County.”