This summer, at our popular county parks, you may have seen lakeside signs – Harmful Algal Blooms. These are becoming a more common occurrence and there are a few things you should know.

  1. HABs have always occurred (Cyanobacteria are 2.7 billion years old!)
  2. Human development feeds Cyanobacteria blooms in surface waters (think polluted runoff)
  3. Warming temperatures increase growth rates of cyanobacteria (climate change)
  4. BCCD & PA DEP have stepped up HABs monitoring to keep you safe (knowledge is power)

Please review the HABs Fact sheet. Keep yourself, your two-legged, and four-legged friends and family safe.

Consider implementing ecologically based landscaping at your home or business to help reduce pollutant loads that increase the likelihood of HABs in your local waterways. Learn more at our Resident Resources for watersheds page.