Water Quality News

Blog Archives
PFAS Update, Photo of Seneca Lake by Kelly Blackhurst
October 28, 2026

PFAS in Seneca Lake: New Research and Remediation Updates

GENEVA, N.Y. – New research from Cornell University is providing a closer look at PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” across the Finger Lakes, including Seneca Lake. The research builds on growing regional efforts to better understand the presence of these chemicals in local waterways and their potential impacts on water quality. In 2024, Seneca...
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Public Comments
October 27, 2026

Pure Waters Calls for Stronger Environmental Review of Data Centers

GENEVA, N.Y. – Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (Pure Waters) recently submitted formal comments to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), calling for a more comprehensive evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of large-scale data centers and related electrical infrastructure. The comments, developed by Pure Waters’ Vulcan Committee, were submitted as part of...
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Vulcan Infrastructure and Power
September 11, 2026

Pure Waters Supports Moratorium on Data Center Development

GENEVA, N.Y. – Greenidge Generation in Dresden has been pivoting from its Bitcoin mining business to an AI Data Center. Their transition involves a name change to Vulcan Infrastructure and Power (VIP). There has been pushback on Data Centers around the country and in NYS. Governor Hochul signed an Executive Order to establish a 1...
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Benthic Cyanobacteria
August 27, 2026

Benthic Cyanobacteria Identified in Seneca Lake

GENEVA, N.Y. – Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (Pure Waters) is asking the public to be aware of benthic cyanobacteria following a recent identification in Seneca Lake. Pure Waters recently received several photos of unusual debris in the lake near Lakeshore Landing, north of Sampson State Park. After consultation with the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI),...
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LaBarr Farms
August 21, 2026

Water Quality Update: August 21, 2026

GENEVA, N.Y. – As we head into the second half of August, Seneca Lake continues to have no confirmed harmful algal bloom (HAB) reports, while low lake levels remain an area of concern. Pure Waters continues to monitor these conditions closely as we move into late summer. Read the full interactive Water Quality Update for...
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Water Quality
August 7, 2026

Water Quality Update: August 7, 2026

GENEVA, N.Y. – Seneca Lake continues to exhibit excellent water quality as we move through the height of the summer recreation season. According to the latest monitoring data collected on the evening of August 6th, surface temperatures and lake levels are fairly typical for early August, but dissolved oxygen levels measured unusually high. No HAB’s...
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