Candlewood Lake Authority Collaborates with WCSU on Toxin Testing

From the Candlewood Lake Authority:

The Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) announced that they are developing a new collaboration with Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) that will increase the monitoring of potentially harmful toxins to help protect the health of the users of Candlewood Lake.

Cyanobacteria (otherwise known as blue-green algae) can be found in lakes across North America, including Candlewood and other area lakes. Blue-green blooms have been in the news frequently in recent years for the problems they are causing public water supplies and recreational use of lakes. Under certain conditions, which scientists are still studying and trying to understand, blue-green algae can become concentrated and may produce toxins that can impact the health of both humans and other animals.

Last summer, Candlewood Lake saw its first-ever municipal beach closings due to new State guidelines which rely on a visual assessment indicating the potential of high blue-green algae toxin concentrations. As a result of the blue-green algae sightings at the five town park beaches, the Candlewood Lake Authority went out and collected samples from each one. Those samples were then immediately driven by the CLA to a lab in Berlin, CT for analysis, and it took several days to get the results back. The State guidance recommends having toxin levels measured as one way to ensure they are low enough to reopen the beach.

Last summer CLA began collaborating with WCSU molecular biology professor, Dr. Edward Wong, who was interested in studying the genes of various blue-green algae samples that the CLA delivered in an effort to understand if certain blue-green algae could produce, and have produced toxins, using DNA sequencing methods. Adding a component to the research whereby toxin levels would be measured seemed to be a logical next step.

In an effort to streamline the blue-green algae toxin testing process with a faster turnaround time and more data, the CLA has been in discussions with Dr. Wong, Missy Alexander who is the Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Paul Steinmetz who is the Director of University and Community Relations, to create a program whereby blue-green algae samples from Candlewood Lake and Lake Zoar will be analyzed at WCSU labs in Danbury, on a weekly basis during the months of July and August. Larry Marsicano, Executive Director of the CLA, stated “I have discussed this with the Directors of Health in several lake municipalities and believe this program, with quicker result turnaround times, will be of great value to our Towns and communities.”

The CLA has applied for a grant from the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation in New Milford to offset some of the costs and they along with WCSU are planning to meet with the elected officials of the municipalities on Candlewood and Lake Zoar, which also has public beaches, to help investigate funding options for this important public health initiative.

Photo credit: Wendy Mitchell