Harmful Algal Blooms and Summer Planning

Seven steps Garden State municipalities can take to cut back on pollution that fuels HABs and fouls lakes

From lake beaches to the Jersey Shore, no matter where
you are in the Garden State, playing in the water is a
part of life. And none of us should have to worry
whether the water could make us, our children or our pets sick. That isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time.

Unfortunately, we did have to worry about that situation this past summer in
too many lakeside communities in New Jersey. And, as a result, lake community
businesses suffered a loss of customers and critical summer revenue.
The culprit was harmful algal blooms, or HABs–excessive growth of naturally
occurring cyanobacteria that looks like pea soup or spilled paint spreading across these bodies of water. As we know, HABs are generally fueled by nutrient-laden stormwater runoff and failing septic systems. The blooms frequently occur during higher temperatures and in calm waters. Climate change, with rising temperatures and greater rainstorm intensity, contributes to an increase in these occurrences.

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