Private drinking water intakes and in-home treatment systems are not regulated. Unlike public drinking water supply facilities, no requirement exists for owners of these intakes or systems to test for cyanotoxins. Without the testing of source water at intakes or finish drinking water from in-home systems when blooms are present, you cannot tell if your system has been affected by toxins at levels that could compromise your health.
If you are unsure whether your in-home treatment system is designed to reduce or eliminate cyanotoxins that may be present during a bloom, OHA recommends you avoid drinking from household taps and use an alternative source of drinking water.
Siltcoos Lake Pilot Project
Oregon Health Authority staff are currently working with Dunes City administration, water quality committee members, and the Siltcoos Lake community on a pilot project targeting outreach and education to owners of private intakes and in-home systems. The agency, with the help of willing partners, plans to provide education and outreach information and materials on ways community members can help reduce the occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms and their exposure to cyanotoxins potentially present during a bloom.
This pilot project is an informational campaign and will include among other items, development and distribution of community engagement tools, an outreach plan, factsheets, technical assistance support, and more enhanced bloom alerts when private intake owners should be cautious with their drinking water.