An Analysis of Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms in Massachusetts and Methods of Prevention and Event Response

Project Abstract
Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins which cause serious health effects, including death. Climate change and land use are two important factors that have led to an increase in CyanoHABs. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) lacks info about blooms in surface drinking water supplies and the preparedness of Public Water Systems (PWS) for cyanobacteria. Through the completion of this project, we made a historical overview of cyanobacteria events in surface drinking water supplies in Massachusetts since 2015, identified and compared the prevention and response methods for cyanobacteria events, and developed informational materials for MassDEP and PWSs. We suggested actions MassDEP could take to improve cyanobacteria preparedness.