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• 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

Health Concerns Depend Upon:

• Type of Exposure

• Concentrations of Cyanobacteria Species & Toxins Present

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.

Symptoms From Exposure

• Skin Rash

• Numb lips

• Tingling fingers & toes

• Dizziness

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

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

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.

• 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

• Cyanobacteria are not regulated by EPA or by Massachusetts.

• U.S. EPA - UCMR4

More Cyanobacteria Blooms Are

Expected As Climate Change

Results in Warmer Water

Temperatures & Periodic Drought

(Low Flow) Conditions.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

Blooms appear to be increasing along the coasts and in freshwaters.

Cyanobacteria Strategies

1. Be Aware of Issue

2. Implement Source Water Protection for Prevention

3. Plan Ahead for Cyanobacteria Blooms in Your ER Plan

1. Strategy: Awareness of Issue

• PWS Experience

• MassDEP Fact sheet

• MassDEP Guidance

• Discuss with Public

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:

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

.

3. Strategy: Plan for Blooms in ER Plan

• MassDEP survey

• Vulnerability of surface water to blooms

• Include information in ER Plan

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

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.

MassDEP Contacts

• WERO Kim Longridge (or Deirdre Doherty)• CEROBob Bostwick• NERO Nick Zessoules (or Tom Mahin)• SERORick Rondeau• Boston Kathy Romero