---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300j–19"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300j–19"
heading: "Algal toxin risk assessment and management"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300j-19"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XII — Safety of Public Water Systems"
  - "Part E — General Provisions"
---

# §300j–19. Algal toxin risk assessment and management

- (a) **Strategic plan—**
  - (1) **Development—** Not later than 90 days after August 7, 2015, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. The strategic plan shall include steps and timelines to—
    - (A) evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water provided by public water systems contaminated with algal toxins;
    - (B) establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins which the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) determines may have an adverse effect on human health when present in drinking water provided by public water systems, taking into account likely exposure levels;
    - (C) summarize—
      - (i) the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B) when present in drinking water provided by public water systems; and
      - (ii) factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to proliferate and express toxins;
    - (D) with respect to algal toxins included on the list published under [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B), determine whether to—
      - (i) publish health advisories pursuant to [section 300g–1(b)(1)(F) of this title](/usc/42/300g–1.md?p=b-1-F) for such algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems;
      - (ii) establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of algal toxins; and
      - (iii) establish guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if such algal toxins are present in drinking water provided by public water systems;
    - (E) recommend feasible [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) options, including procedures, equipment, and source water protection [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), to mitigate any adverse public health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B); and
    - (F) enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and public water systems, as identified by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), for the purpose of managing risks associated with algal toxins included on the list published under [subparagraph (B)](#a-1-B).
  - (2) **Updates—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall, as appropriate, update and submit to Congress the strategic plan developed under [paragraph (1)](#a-1).
- (b) **Information coordination—** In carrying out this section the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) identify gaps in the [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)’s understanding of algal toxins, including—
    - (A) the human health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under [subsection (a)(1)(B)](#a-1-B); and
    - (B) methods and means of testing and monitoring for the presence of harmful algal toxins in source water of, or drinking water provided by, public water systems;
  - (2) as appropriate, consult with—
    - (A) other Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that—
      - (i) examine or analyze cyanobacteria or algal toxins; or
      - (ii) address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms;
    - (B) [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f);
    - (C) operators of public water systems;
    - (D) multinational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
    - (E) foreign governments;
    - (F) research and academic institutions; and
    - (G) companies that provide relevant drinking water [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) options; and
  - (3) assemble and publish information from each Federal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that has—
    - (A) examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal toxins; or
    - (B) addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms.
- (c) **Use of science—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall carry out this section in accordance with the requirements described in [section 300g–1(b)(3)(A) of this title](/usc/42/300g–1.md?p=b-3-A), as applicable.
- (d) **Feasible—** For purposes of this section, the term “feasible” has the meaning given such term in [section 300g–1(b)(4)(D) of this title](/usc/42/300g–1.md?p=b-4-D).

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, § 1459, as added Pub. L. 114–45, § 2(a), Aug. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 473.)