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Kathleen Cuddy, MPH Public Health Director Cayuga County Health Department 8 Dill St. Auburn, NY 13021 For Immediate Release: Friday, September 28, 2018 Levels of Toxins Detected in the City of Auburn’s Raw Water Results from samples collected on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from the City of Auburn’s raw water have been received this afternoon (9/28/2018) and reveal toxin levels of .59 micrograms per liter associated with harmful algal blooms in the raw (untreated) water entering the City of Auburn’s treatment plant from Owasco Lake. The treatment system at the City of Auburn continues to successfully remove the toxins and NO toxins were detected in the samples taken of the treated drinking water. The City of Auburn provides drinking water to residents in the City of Auburn, the Towns of Aurelius, Fleming Water District 6, Throop, Mentz, Brutus, Montezuma, Sennett, Springport Water District 2, and the Villages of Port Byron, Weedsport, and Cayuga. The Town of Owasco also uses Owasco Lake water for drinking water purposes. Results from samples collected from their water filtration plant on Thursday, September 27, 2018 of both the raw (untreated) water and the treated drinking water were also received this afternoon (9/28/2018) and no toxins were detected in either sample. It is important to note that the City of Auburn and Town of Owasco have two separate intake pipes located in two different spots of Owasco Lake. Since the end of August, the Cayuga County Health Department has been sampling and monitoring the drinking water for the City of Auburn and Town of Owasco two days per week. The frequency of sampling will be expanded to three days per week and the City of Auburn has increased the amount of granular activated carbon used to treat the raw water entering the treatment plant. Sample results can be found by clicking on the Harmful Algal Blooms tab on our homepage at www.cayugacounty.us/health. Should there be further changes in conditions, the Health Department will notify and update the public. If you have any further questions, please call the Cayuga County Health Department at [PHONE REDACTED].