Idaho Department of Environmental Quality · 21. Snake River (multiple) 2016 –2018 Public...
Transcript of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality · 21. Snake River (multiple) 2016 –2018 Public...
Idaho Department of
Environmental QualityEmerging Contaminants in Drinking Water
Maureen Pepper
Drinking Water Program
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• >2,000 public water systems
(PWS)
• 96% Groundwater
• 4% Surface Water (~80 PWSs,
includes GWUDI)
• Includes over 50 different sources
state-wide
Idaho’s Public Water Systems
IDWR
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Emerging Drinking Water Contaminants
❖Cyanotoxins – Microcystin & Cylindrospermopsin
❖Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
❖Perchlorate
❖Manganese
• Hexavalent Chromium
• 1,4-dioxane
• Pharmaceuticals
• Personal Care Products
• Microbials
• Legionella
• Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Emerging or Emerged?
PFAS Contamination SitesHexavalent Chromium1,4-dioxane
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Cyanotoxin Detections
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring
Rule (UCMR)
• Currently in 4th round
• Large PWSs >10,000 and select small PWS sampling under EPA direction to determine if regulation is needed
• Takes years to develop, pass, and implement rules
• EPA has issued short-term health advisories (HA) for some in the interim
– Cyanotoxins(2), PFOA/PFOS, Manganese, Perchlorate
Drinking Water Health Advisory
• Provide information on contaminants that can cause human health effects and are known (or anticipated) to occur in drinking water.
• Non-regulatory unlike MCLs
• Exposure durations: 1-day, 10-day, and lifetime
• EPA has over 100.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Most basic life form
• Bacterial and algal (photosynthetic) properties; not algae
• Not all produce toxin
• 7 species found in Idaho to date
What are Cyanobacteria?
7
5
1
2
Idaho Cyanobacteria1. Aphanizomenon2. Dolichospermum (Anabaena) 3. Gloeotrichia
4 63
4. Lyngbya5. Microcystis6. Planktothrix7. Woronichinia
What are Cyanotoxins?
• aka harmful algae blooms
• Toxins are produced by cyanobacteria bloom during a bloom
• Blooms caused by high nutrients (N &P) and warmer water
• Various sources of nutrient loading
• Toxins target the liver, kidney, and/or nervous system.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
EPA Health Advisories (HA) (non-regulatory)
EPA’s 2015 drinking water health
advisories
EPA’s 2019 human health recreational
ambient water quality criteria or swimming
advisories
August 2014 – Lake Erie, Ohio
• Cyanotoxins in Toledo’s (Lucas County) drinking water
• 500,000 without water for 2 days
• Treatment approach increased toxicity
• Land alterations and nutrient loading contribute to issue
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Why you should care…
Salem, Oregon 2018
1. Avondale Lake2. Black Lake3. Fernan Lake4. Hayden Lake5. Cocolalla Lake6. Chatcolet Res.7. Dworshak Res.8. Brownlee Res.9. Hells Canyon Res.10. Oxbow Res.11. Horsethief Res.12. Cascade Res.13. NF Payette River14. Lake Lowell15. Blacks Creek Res.16. Little Camas Res.17. Mountain Home Res.18. Salmon Falls Creek Res.19. Long Tom Res. 20. C.J. Strike Res. 21. Snake River (multiple)
2016 – 2018 Public reports, observations, photos of cyanobacteria
22. Private property (multiple)
23. Murtaugh Lake24. American Falls
Res.25. Island Park Res.26. Henry’s Lake27. Henry’s Fork28. Magic Res.29. Mormon Res.30. Chesterfield Res.31. Fish Creek Res.32. Blackfoot Res.33. Lost Valley Res. 34. Eagle Island
State Park35. Anderson Ranch
Recreational water health advisories posted in 2018 (9); many on list have had an HA issued in past years.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
2019
Recreation
Water
Health
Advisories
(14):
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Idaho Harmful Algal Bloom
Response Plan, 2017
– Agency’s roles in recreational
health advisory response
– Communications coordinated
with DW Program
• Social media and press releases
• Resources specific to public
drinking water operators
Coordinating Communications &
Outreach on Cyanotoxins
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Manganese
Manganese Sources
Steel Alloys
Fertilizer
Batteries
Fireworks
Essential Nutrient
Imaging Films
Paints
Cosmetics
Infant HA (10-day) = 0.3 mg/L
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• No detections in ID
• HA = 15 µg/L
Perchlorate
Perchlorate Sources
Rocket Fuel
Explosives
Fireworks
Airbags
Flares
Fertilizers
Batteries
Chlorine/ Bleach
Lead and Copper
EPA revised major overhaul of 1991 rules, on 6 key areas:
1. Identifying the areas most impacted
2. Strengthening drinking water treatment requirements
3. Replacing lead service lines
4. Increasing sampling reliability
5. Improving risk communication
6. Protecting children in schools and child care facilities
Public comment period extended to February
12, 2020
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Significant Proposed Rule Changes:
Requirements for Water Systems
• Develop a lead service line (LSL) inventory within three years; systems with LSLs, compliance samples will be at homes with LSLs.
• Take certain actions if “trigger level” of 10 ppb was detected to be better prepared for a future exceedance of the 15 ppb action level (AL).
• Develop a LSL replacement plan when above the “trigger level”, and would start replacing LSLs at a minimum of 3% a year with an action level exceedance (ALE).
• Notify the public within 24 hours of an ALE, and to also notify residents within 24 hours if an individual sample is above the AL; make pitcher filters available to residence(s) that sample above the AL.
• Sample 20% of the K-12 schools and licensed child care centers in the service area.
• Have corrosion control treatment in place to re-optimize their CCT if the trigger level or action level is exceeded.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PFAS Sources
Food
Electronics
Firefighting Foams
Stain/ Water
Repellents
Nonstick Products
Polish, Wax, Paint
Cleaning Products
Metal Plating
HA = 70ppt
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
PFAS History and Challenges
• Group of more than 4,000 chemicals, developed in 1930; use increased after 1967 USS Forrestal fire
• “Forever”, can accumulate in human body over time with affects to organs, hormones, thyroid, learning, growth, etc.
• EPA’s lifetime health advisory = 70 ppt
• Drinking water test method available; validated methods for soil, wastewater, and surface water are not available yet.
• Contamination considered hazardous waste = remediation
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
PFAS – Looking Ahead
• In early 2019, EPA announced its PFAS Action Plan– Short- and long-term actions to help officials better
understand the chemicals and clean from contaminated water sources.
– How EPA aims to work with other agencies and manufacturers to research and monitor the development of new and existing
– How EPA intends to provide detailed information and risk communication to the public.
• Dec. ‘19 EPA submitted proposed regulatory determination and asked for public comment
• Detected above health advisory at Mountain Home AFB in 2 wells in 2016; wells turned off
• DEQ and IDHW coordinating communication
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Who is Involved?
Health Agencies
Elected Officials
Public
Industry
Scientists
Professors
What you can do:
• Understand and
support drinking water
• Public education
• Water quality
protection
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Free Lead Testing for Idaho’s Public
Schools from Idaho Bureau of Labs