This brief two page paper discusses the effect of algae on drinking water quality, and mentions algal characteristics that include: effect of nutrients from nonpoint sources on algae; how algal growth causes tastes and odors; toxins and their health effects; effect on treatment processes such as coagulation, sedimentation, clarification, filter clogging, loss of disinfectant residual; precursors for disinfection byproducts; and, a multiple barrier approach for control of algal related problems that integrates watershed management, in-reservoir treatment and treatment plant modifications.