N.J.’s largest lake is rid of toxic algae, but 8 others remain contaminated – NJ.com

New Jersey’s largest lake has a clean bill of health, but several others around the state still harbor toxic algae.

Months after Lake Hopatcong became the poster child for a rash of harmful algal blooms plaguing the Garden State, the source of the problem — cyanobacteria — was deemed no longer a threat in November.

But other lakes and ponds around New Jersey remain contaminated, according to information posted on the state Department of Environmental Protection website. In those waters, the toxic bacteria are stubbornly surviving in the cold of winter.

There were 39 harmful algal blooms confirmed in New Jersey in 2019, according to the New Jersey DEP. That’s by far the most since the state started tracking the blooms in 2017. There were 22 blooms confirmed that year, and 20 blooms confirmed in 2018.

Despite cold temperatures, eight of the 2019 blooms continue to persist, according to the DEP. Another three blooms that began last year continued into early January before being deemed resolved.

The persistence of the bacteria is not a total surprise, according to Meiyin Wu, the director of the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology at Montclair State University. Some cyanobacteria species are known to be active during the winter, and growing evidence suggests that harmful algal blooms are a problem not limited to the summer.

“Some species are so hardy that they can survive in icy temperatures,” Wu said.

Climate change is exacerbating the issue, according to Wu. New Jersey is one of the fastest warming states in the nation, and the higher average temperatures make it easier for cyanobacteria to thrive throughout the year.

“They are just like any other bacteria. So if they have optimal environment, they will grow,” she said.

Contact with harmful algal blooms can cause health issues ranging from gastroenteritis and flu-like symptoms to skin rashes and respiratory problems. It can be fatal to dogs.

If the cyanobacteria are actively producing cyanotoxins, the health risks become more serious and can include neurological effects.

That’s why the blooms led to the closure last year of swimming areas on Lake Hopatcong and other New Jersey lakes.

The DEP did not address written questions submitted last week seeking comment.

The blooms are naturally occurring, and the cyanobacteria — the source of the blooms — thrive in warm weather and in water with high levels of nutrients.

Wu said she expects the number of reported harmful algal blooms to continue increasing, though contributing factors extend beyond climate change. General awareness of the blooms is increasing, she noted, and will result in more people reporting possible blooms.

For Wu, that increased awareness is a benefit.

“Having more people aware of harmful algal blooms also means there are more people working on it,” Wu said. “The more people know about it, the more people know how to avoid contact.”

In November, Gov. Phil Murphy announced $13.5 million in grant funding that would help local governments manage stormwater and prevent harmful algal blooms.

But Murphy vetoed a bill earlier this month that would’ve appropriated $500,000 from boat registration fees to the Greenwood Lake Commission to prevent future harmful algal blooms. Greenwood Lake was the site of another high-profile bloom last summer.

In his veto statement, Murphy said he shared the goal of a healthy lake, but didn’t want to redirect funds from other purposes. He suggested money for Greenwood Lake could come from his $13.5 million funding initiative. Murphy added that no state money had been pledged by New York, despite sharing responsibility for the lake.

State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris, the primary sponsor of the Greenwood Lake funding bill, blasted Murphy for rejecting the measure.

“Trenton has failed the residents of West Milford and Passaic County and the three million residents and thousands of businesses that depend on Greenwood Lake for drinking water,” Pennacchio said in a statement following the veto.

On Thursday, a number of House members representing New Jersey sent a letter to Murphy, state Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, calling on the state leaders to make an emergency investment in cleaning up Garden State lakes affected by harmful algal blooms.

That same day, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist. — one of the authors of the letter — spoke at Greenwood Lake about the need for more action to protect New Jersey lakes against future harmful algal blooms.

“We need to prevent, mitigate and respond now,” Gottheimer said. “Emergency appropriations could provide the investment our lakes need to reduce source pollution, make sewer and stormwater upgrades and invest in treating the existing toxic blooms.”

Read more of NJ.com’s coverage of New Jersey water issues here.

Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MSolDub. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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