1 Recreational Risk Management of Surface Waterbodies: Cyanobacteria in Massachusetts Michael Celona [email protected]Chief, Water Toxics Environmental Toxicology Program Bureau of Environmental Health Massachusetts Department of Public Health Vanessa Curran [email protected]Water Resources Scientist Lakes and Ponds Program Office of Water Resources Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 2019 Northeast Aquatic Biologist Conference Saratoga Springs, NY February 28, 2019
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Recreational Risk Management of Surface Waterbodies: Cyanobacteria in Massachusetts
Certain environmental conditions in freshwater support excessive growth of cyanobacteria- “a bloom” or harmful algae bloom (HAB)• Warm weather
• Sunlight
• Excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen)
• Stagnant water
Marine blooms often called “red tide”• Different species, causes, etc.
• In New England’s marine waters, the plankton Alexandrium is responsible
• Managed by various state and federal agencies
Cyanobacteria Blooms
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Primary concern: cyanotoxins• Hepatoxin- liver
• Neurotoxin- neurological system
Some cyanobacteria are genetically capable of producing toxins but triggers for toxin production not well understood
Additional concerns• Lipopolysaccharides- endotoxin included
in cell membranes
• Taste and odor issues in drinking water
• Decreased recreational water clarity
Public Health
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Cyanobacteria Standards/Guidelines
No federal or state standards Recreational water
• DPH guidelines for visual observations (scum), cell count (70k cells/ml), and microcystin (14 ppb)• Developed in collaboration with DEP and DCR in 2008• Swimmer exposure• Advisory rescission framework
• Draft USEPA guidelines for two cyanotoxins (2016) Drinking water
• Federal guidelines for two toxins (2016)• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4 (UCMR4) Testing
• Surface public water supply testing 2018-2020• Ten cyanotoxins
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Environmental Monitoring
In 2009, DPH established an environmental monitoring program for recreational waterbodies • Monitoring strategy (routine, response)• Sampling and analysis protocol• Communication strategy with local health depts
Supported by CDC funding (2009-2013) and MassDEP resources
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Issues to Address Multiple entry points for reports of HABs
• Reports by residents and local officials to AgenciesA. Emergency Response (DPH, DEP, DCR)B. Watershed Programs (DEP, DCR)C. Recreational Water Programs (DPH, DCR)D. Drinking Water Program (DEP)
• Observations by Agency Staff in Field Overlapping agency jurisdictions
• Drinking Water• Recreational Water
Consistent and clear messaging• Drinking water vs recreational water safety• Challenging communications
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DPH Recreational
Water
DEPDrinking Water
DCRState Parks
Agency Jurisdictional Overlap
DPH: Joint authority on DW contaminantsDEP: Routine surface water monitoring