What You Can Do
Harmful algal blooms are a major environmental problem across the United States. Red tides and some cyanobacteria blooms in freshwaters are examples of HABs that can impact human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy.
Harmful algal blooms can produce dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals (livestock or pets), create low oxygen/dead zones in the water, threaten access to water and/or raise its treatment costs, and hurt industries that depend on clean water.
We can all take action to reduce some of the factors that promote the formation and persistence of HABs, learn to identify and report their occurrence and associated illnesses to the appropriate agencies, and help to educate and create public awareness.
Help prevent HABs by reducing nutrient loading into waterbodies
Nutrient like nitrogen and phosphorus help HABs grow. Taking simple actions around your home and yard can reduce nutrient loadings into waterbodies and can make a big difference.
Volunteer to monitor waterbodies for algal blooms
You can help report suspected harmful cyanobacterial blooms using the Environmental Protection Agency's bloomWatch application. The bloomWatch app is the primary tool by which the EPA provides support for volunteer monitoring efforts in reporting suspected HABs. You can use a web-based version of the app from any handheld device or computer or download the bloomWatch app onto your smartphone or tablet to report when and where you observe a potential cyanobacteria bloom. bloomWatch asks for a small bit of information about the suspected HAB location along with some photographs, which are then sent for validation. Confirmed HABs are then reported to a national water quality database. The app can notify state or Tribal agencies when these volunteer reports are posted and use that information for follow on monitoring. Feel free to help participate in this crowd sourced monitoring effort.
- Learn more about bloomWatch
Report suspected algal blooms to your state agency
State departments of health or environment are the best sources for local information about harmful algal blooms and many have apps you can use to report a suspected bloom.
Educate others about HABs and what causes them
Learn about HABs and share with others the example photos and videos provided by the EPA to help them identify HABs, understand associated risks, minimize exposure, and help with reporting.
Photos
Videos
- Harmful Algal Bloom Video Challenge
- Algal Blooms Can Harm Your Health
- Science safeguards drinking water from HABs
- Protect Your Pooch from HABs
Infographics
- Look Out for Harmful Algal Blooms
- Nutrient Pollution Impacts on the United States
- View more images