recreational risk management of surface waterbodies
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Recreational Risk Management of Surface Waterbodies: Cyanobacteria in Massachusetts
Michael Celonamike.celona@state.ma.us
Chief, Water ToxicsEnvironmental Toxicology Program
Bureau of Environmental HealthMassachusetts Department of Public Health
Vanessa Curranvanessa.curran@mass.gov
Water Resources ScientistLakes and Ponds ProgramOffice of Water Resources
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
2019 Northeast Aquatic Biologist ConferenceSaratoga Springs, NY
February 28, 2019
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Introduction to Cyanobacteria
Agency Roles
Examples
Lessons Learned
Future Efforts
Overview
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Organisms that share characteristics with bacteria and algae
• Prokaryotic cell structure (lack nuclei and membrane-bound organelles)
• Many contain specialized intracellular gas vesicles
Known as blue-green algae due to pigments that perform photosynthesis
Exist in all ambient water and some terrestrial environments
Among oldest living organisms
Cyanobacteria
Source: www.palaeocast.com/episode-16-multicellularity-in-cyanobacteria/
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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
DPH: Beach monitoring enforcementDCR: Beach monitoring
DEP: Drinking water enforcementDCR: MWRA drinking water watershed monitoring
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Create a communication plan• Identify lead agency on
issues• Establish key contacts at
each agency Coordinate joint
responses• Adopt uniform messaging• Use communication
templates
Interagency Efforts
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Monponsett Pond-Halifax/Hanson
Heavily-used suburban pond• Swimming, fishing, boating• State-operated boat ramp• Cranberry bogs• Supplemental source for
public water system• Endangered shellfish
History of water quality issues Monponsett Pond Working
Group• Local officials• DPH, DEP, DFG• Cranberry Bog Assoc.• Public water systems• Advocacy groups
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Monponsett Pond-Halifax/Hanson
DPH- technical assistance• Review information• Conduct environmental sampling
and testing• Provide recommendations• Address health-related questions
DEP- technical assistance• Conduct environmental sampling
and testing• TMDL for phosphorous DFG- endangered species
• Review of pond treatment plans
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Charles River- Boston Heavily-used urban river
• Boating, rowing, kayak/canoeing• Occasional swim events• No beach (yet)
Hydrologically, lower basin acts as a lake History of water quality issues, including cyanobacteria blooms Managed by DCR
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Charles River- Boston
Near annual cyanobacteria blooms
DPH- technical assistance• Review information• Conduct environmental sampling
and testing• Provide recommendations• Address health-related questions
DCR- facility management and outreach• Inform visitors• Address general questions
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Chestnut Hill Reservoir-Boston
Urban waterbody Emergency water supply for
Boston and surrounding communities
Managed by DCR as state park
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Chestnut Hill Reservoir-Boston
MWRA- monitoring and outreach• Conduct environmental sampling
and testing• Inform visitors• Address general questions
DPH- technical assistance• Review information• Provide recommendations• Address recreational health-
related questions DCR- outreach DEP- interagency communication
coordination
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Cliff Pond- Brewster
Located in Nickerson State Park
• Swimming, boating, fishing, camping
History of lengthy cyanobacteria blooms
1990’s: dog deaths suspected to be related to a HAB
Cooperation between DPH (sampling/recommendations) and DCR (signage and visitor outreach)
DFG- endangered species• Review of pond treatment plans
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Cliff Pond- BrewsterApril 2013
April 2016
DCR completed an alum treatment in spring 2016• Decrease occurrences of
blooms/risk to public health• Increase public access
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Located in Maudslay State Park
• Hiking, biking
• Extremely popular with dog walkers
Two dog deaths reported to DPH in 2010
DPH conducted site visit and environmental sampling in response
Flowering Pond -Newburyport
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Some time had passed between the dog deaths and reporting to DPH
Area of scum observed at site visit
Toxin testing conducted for microcystin and anatoxin
• Microcystin: 3.8 ppb
• Anatoxin: ND
Flowering Pond -Newburyport
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Lessons Learned
Established protocols are essential• Communication (internal, external)• Sampling and analysis
Mutual reliance• Agencies rely on each other to provide specific technical resources
Responding to HABs can be resource intensive• Staff time• Sampling and analytical costs• Media interest
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Future Efforts Harmonize DPH guidelines with future EPA rec water guidance
• Proposed EPA guidance valuesA. 4 ppb microcystin B. 8 ppb cylindrospermopsinC. 20,000 cells/ml
• Resource impacts Examine improved analytical techniques/surrogates
• Toxin field kits• Phycocyanin or turbidity vs cell counts
Satellite imagery
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Disclaimer/Acknowledgements
The content of this presentation and the views expressed bythe authors do not necessarily reflect the official views of anyagency or partner.
The authors would like to thank our colleagues at DPH, DCR,DEP, and numerous local watershed groups and govt agencies.
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