Oregon Health Authority to require testing for cyanotoxins in drinking water

The Oregon Health Authority will soon require routine testing of water sources for toxins like those discovered in Salem's drinking water.

Under temporary rules that state health officials hope to install by month's end, local officials would also be required to notify the public of test results.

The rules, which will be stricter than current federal guidelines, come after Salem's tap water was contaminated by enough cyanotoxins to potentially harm children under 6 years old and some adults with compromised immune systems.

While testing for cyanotoxins has not previously been required in Oregon, Salem officials do test for the toxins. The city issued a do-not-drink notice May 29, which was eventually lifted June 2. City officials took heat from the public, however, for not revealing they had positive test results earlier.

Read more: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2018/06/05/oregon-require-testing-cyanotoxins-drinking-water/675420002/