Algae Blooms Not Affecting Local Drinking Water

Drinking water from Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) is not affected by any algae blooms.

GCWW and ORSANCO monitor for harmful algae levels in the Ohio River, and our community is not experiencing any problems with algae. There is no risk to our local area water supply.

Although algae blooms are possible in the Ohio River, they are uncommon and also likely to be mild, as compared to the severe algae growth in Lake Erie near Toledo. Extreme algae growth is much more likely to occur in lakes and ponds where water moves very slowly, as opposed to faster flowing rivers.

GCWW uses state-of-the-art water treatment processes that include multiple barriers to protect public health.

Our Ohio River treatment plant in California, Ohio, uses sand filtration, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) and ultraviolet (UV) light to remove natural and man-made contaminants from our drinking water. Our facility is the first in the nation to use all these treatment methods.

GAC and PAC are the most effective methods of removing the toxins found in algae.

The safety of our drinking water is our highest priority.

Our objective is to keep our water safe and protect public health. GCWW has always met or exceeded all of the state and federal health standards for drinking water.