Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Water Bodies
  3. Managing HABs

Managing Algal Toxins in Recreational Waters

HABs threaten the recreational use of waterbodies and increase risks to wildlife, pets, livestock, and human health. As a result, the EPA has compiled and/or developed materials for reducing risks associated with HAB recreational exposure. These include how to visually identify signs and confirm cyanobacterial blooms in surface waters; how to protect human health using recreational water quality criteria or swimming advisories; and recommendations, examples, and templates for developing Emergency Response Plans for cyanotoxins. The EPA has also designed tools and materials to support effective risk communication by states, Tribes, territories and local governments to their communities.

This information is intended for recreational waterbody managers, which may include public health officials, lake managers, or other state, local or Tribal officials, involved in monitoring water quality and protecting the health of people and animals that use waterbodies within their jurisdiction.

  • Visually Identifying Signs of a Cyanobacterial Bloom
  • Protecting Human Health from Cyanotoxin Exposure During Recreation
  • Developing an Emergency Response Plan for Cyanotoxins 
  • Communicating about Cyanobacterial Blooms and Toxins in Recreational Waters

DISCLAIMER: This information does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, Tribes, or the public, nor does it confer legal rights. It does not constitute a regulation, nor does it change or substitute for any Clean Water Act provision or EPA regulation. Any mention of trade names, products, or services does not convey and should not be interpreted as conveying official EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation for use.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Water Bodies

  • Basic Information on HABs
    • Learn about HABs
    • What Causes HABs
    • Exposure to HABs
    • Effects of HABs
    • What You Can Do
  • Trends, Monitoring Results & Forecasts
    • HAB Monitoring and Trends
    • HAB Forecasts
    • HAB Advisories
  • Managing HABs
    • Managing HABs in Surface Water
    • Managing Algal Toxins in Drinking Water
    • Managing Algal Toxins in Recreational Waters
  • HAB Laws, Tools and Data
    • HABHRCA
    • HAB Tools
    • HAB Data
  • HAB Methods & Research
    • HAB Methods
    • HAB Research
  • HAB Resources
    • EPA Outreach on HABs
    • Labs that Analyze for Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins
    • State & Tribal HAB Programs and Resources
    • State & Tribal Toxin Thresholds and Assessment Methods
    • HAB Resources from Other Federal Agencies and Organizations
    • Recent Papers, Upcoming Meetings and Webinars
Contact Us about HABs
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 30, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.