Background: The CLERC Laboratory
Clear Lake presents unique and challenging water quality conditions for the community. One of CLERC’s main goals is to address these challenging conditions while fostering positive economic development for the community in the process.
In May of 2018, CLERC became aware of the lack of an accredited, environmental laboratory in Lake County and the impacts this had on the local community. Over the next several months CLERC Board Members worked to develop the needed expertise and raised the necessary funds to open and operate the lab. The lab is a multi-benefit project that addresses several of Clear Lake’s immediate and long term water quality challenges. CLERC Lab Goals
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Sustained Research,
Community Service, & Economic Development Need Lab Services? |
Immediate Needs and Long Term Water Quality Challenges:
Water Utilities: timely lab results needed for regulatory complianceDrinking water and wastewater utilities are required to complete regular laboratory testing of water in order to comply with federal and state regulations. Currently there is no lab in Lake County that can perform this work.
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Cyanobacteria: toxins becoming more widespreadHarmful algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria (cyanoHABs) produce toxins under certain circumstances that are still largely unknown. These organisms have existed in Clear Lake for a long time, but since 2014 the occurrence of large, prolonged toxic cyanoHABs has increased in water bodies across the state.
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Long Term Research
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