Harmful algal blooms can be found in bodies of water across New York state, but in the city of Auburn, just outside Syracuse, they’ve grown increasingly prevalent.

Specifically, the Owasco Lake has been significantly impacted and now, a route to improving the water doesn’t look as clear as before.

“The New York State constitution guarantees every New Yorker, every single one of you here, are guaranteed by law the right to clean water," Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino said. "That is what we want and we want it now.”

Since the first harmful algal bloom was found in the Owasco Lake in 2016, its water quality has only worsened. More are present, putting thousands at risk.

“They can actually affect the nervous system," said Greg Boyer, professor of biochemistry at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). "They’re likely responsible for some of the dog fatalities that happen.”

Some 45,000 New Yorkers rely on Owasco Lake as their source of drinking water. Local and state leaders had been working together on a plan that would make the lake water safer. However, on July 22, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald sent local officials a letter saying they’re not going forward with the plan.

“I feel betrayed," Giannettino said. "I feel betrayed by our state government. While I am a mayor, I’m also a resident of this state. I’m a voter. I voted for several of these people. They’ve let me down."

The letter came on the same day officials closed a beach on the Lake because of harmful algal blooms. On Friday, alongside officials and impacted residents, Giannettino made three demands of the state.

“First, that our revisions to the Owasco Lake Watershed rules and regulations be accepted and adopted without further revisions, as approved by the town of Owasco and the city of Auburn,” He said. 

He also demanded for the development and implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load, which is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a body of water. He also requested a meeting with Gove. Kathy Hochul in Auburn to explain the urgency of the issue, an issue he says is impacting residents.

“The closure of the beach at the Owasco Yacht Club has not only affected our members wanting to swim in our waters," said Al Bielecki, commodore at the Owasco Yacht Club. "We have seven lifeguards that are currently unable to work because of the beach being closed by the harmful algal blooms.”

Bielecki is seeing this impact firsthand. He believes everyone needs to come together and make their voices heard.

“And the resolution of this problem will need to be from the whole community and not just a part of it,” Bielecki said. 

“I refuse, as the mayor of this city, as a lifetime resident of the city of Auburn, to sit by and allow this state to let us become the next Toledo, Ohio, Flint, Michigan, or Jackson, Mississippi,” Giannettino said. 

Asked for comment, the state Health Department declined, citing pending litigation.