cyanobacteria and drinking water supplies
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Cyanobacteria and Drinking Water Supplies. Cyanobacteria – An Emerging Issue. 2.7 billion years Microscopic Organisms Blue-green Algae Many Different Types Found in All Water Bodies Usually Found in Low Numbers. Increased Concentrations May Create Problem Blooms. Low Water Flow - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Cyanobacteria and Drinking Water Supplies
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Cyanobacteria – An Emerging Issue
• 2.7 billion years
• Microscopic Organisms
• Blue-green Algae
• Many Different Types
• Found in All Water Bodies
• Usually Found in Low Numbers
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Increased Concentrations May Create Problem Blooms
• Low Water Flow• Warm Summer & Early Fall • Water Temperatures• Nitrogen & Phosphorus Enter the Water
• Taste and Odor Problems for PWS• Public Health Concerns for Humans & Pets• Cells May Contain Toxin
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Health Concerns Depend Upon:
• Type of Exposure
• Concentrations of Cyanobacteria Species & Toxins Present
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Routes of Exposure in DW
• Skin Contact
• Toxins are released when the cells are ingestedand they break down in the stomach.
• After an algae bloom ends and the organismsdie, the toxins are released into the water where they can be directly ingested.
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Symptoms From Exposure
• Skin Rash
• Numb lips
• Tingling fingers & toes
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
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Symptoms from Exposure
• Elevated Levels of Toxin: Can cause serious damage to liver,
kidneys, nervous system
• Deaths in Animals (dogs) Have Occurred in Massachusetts At Recreational Waters
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Cyanobacteria Blooms Are Tricky
• Can occur at different depths
• Location varies based on wind direction, depth of water body, etc.
• Confirmation of cyanobacteria can only be made by observing cells under a microscope.
• Cyanobacteria can develop toxins at any time.
• Confirmation of toxins in cyanobacteria cells can only be made using analytical laboratory tests.
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• There are no uniform procedures for sampling, performing cell counts, or treating cyanobacteria impacted waters.
• Some DW Treatment Plant Processes Are Effective In Removing Some Cells and/or Some Toxins
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• Cyanobacteria are not regulated by EPA or by Massachusetts.
• U.S. EPA - UCMR4
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More Cyanobacteria Blooms Are
Expected As Climate Change
Results in Warmer Water
Temperatures & Periodic Drought
(Low Flow) Conditions.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
Blooms appear to be increasing along the coasts and in freshwaters.
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Cyanobacteria Strategies
1. Be Aware of Issue
2. Implement Source Water Protection for Prevention
3. Plan Ahead for Cyanobacteria Blooms in Your ER Plan
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1. Strategy: Awareness of Issue
• PWS Experience
• MassDEP Fact sheet
• MassDEP Guidance
• Discuss with Public
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2. Strategy: Source Water Protection
• Septic Systems
• Lawn/Gardens• Dog Waste
• Agriculture
• Golf Courses
• Other
Reduce nitrogen and phosphorus flowing through the watershed to the reservoir from land uses such as:
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Source Water Protection
• Fact sheets that address these topics and many others are located on MassDEP’s web site at
www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/source-water-protection-for-drinking-water-supplies.html
.
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3. Strategy: Plan for Blooms in ER Plan
• MassDEP survey
• Vulnerability of surface water to blooms
• Include information in ER Plan
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Groups Working on Cyanobacteria
• MassDEP Drinking Water Program• Other MassDEP Programs• Mass. Department of Public Health• Other NE States & NY• U.S. EPA• American Water Works Association• Boards of Health• Universities
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute Project
• Public ground water wells under the influence of surface waters.
• Are there impacts to the well when the surface water has a cyanobacteria bloom?
• Identify owners of surface waters.• Write new fact sheet to raise awareness of
issue.• Encourage communication between PWS with
well & owner of the surface water.
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MassDEP Contacts
• WERO Kim Longridge (or Deirdre Doherty)• CEROBob Bostwick• NERO Nick Zessoules (or Tom Mahin)• SERORick Rondeau• Boston Kathy Romero