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New funding for algae blooms testing in Tompkins County

Harmful algae blooms are popping up again this summer in places like in Skaneateles Lake.

On Cayuga Lake, it's typically not a problem, but over the last two summers, it's becoming a concern.

"This is a safety issue, and whenever something is a safety issue, of course, it goes to a higher priority,” Tompkins County legislator Anna Kelles said.

Many people on or around Cayuga Lake rely on testing by The Community Science Institute to see if the water is safe, but it can be costly.

On Tuesday, August 7, the Tompkins County Legislature approved new money to help pay for testing this summer.

"There was 4,150 dollars that was approved last night. They gave the full amount that they needed which was 9,000, a little over 9,000 but they received a 5,000 grant from the local park foundation,” Kelles said.

The CSI lab asked for the money when 24 suspicious algae blooms turned up in Cayuga Lake last summer.

So far this year, the lab has found 18 suspicious blooms.

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