Dr. Adam Effler, executive director of the Lake Owasco Basin Management Council, appeared on Government inside with Guy Cosentino this week to address growing concerns about harmful algal blooms and water quality issues affecting Lake Owasco and nearby water sources. The discussion comes amid increased attention to water safety, with recent blooms detected in multiple lakes, including Owasco and Skaneateles for the first time.

Effler, who has led the Watershed Management Council for nearly six years, provided information on the impact of the algae bloom, which has raised questions about the safety of drinking water in the city of Auburn. Tests conducted earlier this fall showed the presence of neurotoxins in the water, although no ban on drinking the water was implemented and subsequent testing came back clear.

During the interview, Effler detailed the Council’s ongoing efforts to monitor and manage the watershed to ensure the safety of residents who rely on Lake Owasco for drinking water. He also addressed Auburn’s legal dispute with New York state over stricter watershed regulations, an issue that has fueled local demand for better water quality protections.

This episode marks the first of two water quality debates hosted by Cosentino, who will welcome Councilman Terry Cuddy, a longtime water quality advocate, next Tuesday. Cuddy is expected to share perspectives on the state’s response and its impact on local water management efforts.

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