MakingWaves - News from the Division of Water

This Week's Updates:

• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications
• Watershed Workshop for Teachers
• Shower Better Month

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications

Visit NYHABS, DEC’s harmful algal bloom notification map to view locations of current freshwater HABs in New York State. Each yellow dot on the map represents a HAB reported in the past two weeks. Click on a dot for more information, including the date it was reported, the waterbody name, and pictures. Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view a list of reported HABs.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

If you see a HAB, please use the new reporting form to submit a report to NYHABS. Because waterbodies may have HABs that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scums and discolored water.

If you, your family, or pet have been in contact with a HAB, please rinse with clean water and report any symptoms to your local health department.

Watershed Workshop for Teachers

Teachers, are you looking for great new ways to engage your students? A workshop at Five Rivers Environmental Center (56 Game Farm Road, Delmar) on October 28 will explore a variety of hands-on watershed-related activities. Two hours of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits will be awarded to NYS-certified teachers. Call 518-475-0291 by October 25 to register.

Shower Better Month

October is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program’s Shower Better Month. As a WaterSense partner, DEC is promoting Shower Better Month as an opportunity to improve the water efficiency in homes across the state. Showering is one of the leading uses of water in the home, accounting for 20 percent of residential indoor water use. For the average family, this adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day. By replacing a standard showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model, the average family can save 2,900 gallons of water and reduce their water and energy costs by more than $70 per year.