2007 Model Practice Application (Public)

Identification and Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms

Livingston County Department of Health

Identification and Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms targets people and pets that reside near water bodies and users of public water supplies that use surface water as a source. In 2003, a dog died from ingestion of algae laden water from a nearby, upstate New York lake, indicating that this problem is occurring very close to Livingston County. Using surface water bodies that support algal growth as a public water source, can lead to the transport of toxins within the drinking water into homes for use and consumption. Monitoring algal blooms for the presence of the toxins provides an opportunity for implementing an intervention where public notification (by utilizing local media, county and local web sites, and press releases) can be made to alert lakeshore residents of the presence of the toxin in waters used for recreational purposes. Consumers can be notified of the presence of the toxin in the water and of the potential public health threat within the public water supply system, by utilizing public health press releases, media contacts, direct contacts with water suppliers and physicians notification by blast-fax, phone, mail, etc. The Conesus Lake Association also has an emergency e-mail alert system that would be utilized to transmit the message to association members.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that there are no human or animal health impacts associated with algae blooms occurring in Conesus Lake. To implement this monitoring program, other objectives include: educating and training a select group of lakeshore residents to identify when an algae bloom was occurring and to notify the Livingston County Department of Health (LCDOH); once notified, LCDOH would visually investigate the bloom and make arrangements for sampling and analyses of algae laden water; lake water and drinking water samples would be analyzed for the levels of the toxin present; appropriate public health notifications would be made if levels of the toxin were near WHO guidelines for drinking water and recreational contact.

Levels of the toxin microcystin were measured weekly in the public water supply systems and in lake water when algae blooms were occurring. Although blooms did occur and many samples were collected, the measured toxin was found to be present at levels that did not warrant a public health intervention. The LCDOH was also able to assure the public that the algae blooms that did occur this year were not sufficient to cause the toxin microcystin to read levels that would cause harm.

Over several years, residents have reported sightings of algae blooms and have questioned if it is safe to swim. At the present, surveillance for algae or their toxins is not currently conducted in New York for routine drinking water or recreational water monitoring. The regular occurrence of localized and lake wide algae blooms on Conesus Lake, coupled with the reported occurrence of contact dermatitis from recreational contact with water laden with algae, there was a potential identified for the blooms to be considered harmful algal blooms. The public health implications could be tremendous. There is a potential for human and animal illness and death and marine life impacts from toxins and from lack of oxygen. There is also a potential for aesthetic and economic losses due to undesirable lake conditions limiting tourism, fishing and recreational activities. The surveillance for algae blooms conducted by people that reside on the lake allows an almost constant evaluation for the occurrence of an algae bloom. Constant surveillance and subsequent reporting can lead to collection of a sample for analysis. The determination of whether the bloom can cause a human health impact can then be made from the level of the toxin present in the sample and comparison to WHO guidelines. Regular analysis of the drinking water supplied also provides assurance that the drinking water supplies are safe for consumption. If elevated toxin levels are measured, public notifications can be made to provide protection of the public.

Monitoring and identifying harmful algal blooms is a new practice in the field of public health. Conesus Lake is one of the most populated lakes of all the Finger Lakes. Over 1800 homes surround the lake and it would be unusual for a bloom to occur and go unreported. Several health impacts to lake residents were noted to be caused by algal blooms and a method of determining when an algal bloom could create a health concern was needed. Contact with other health departments and national health organizations revealed the algal toxin monitoring is not a typical method of evaluating algal blooms. It was then discovered that two nearby universities were involved in a grant program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement a program to measure algal toxicity. LCDOH took advantage of the close proximity and solicited help in understanding how program staff could collaborate to determine if there was a public health significance to algal blooms on Conesus Lake. SUNY Brockport staff were very supportive and assisted in implementation of the program.

Utilization of Lake residents, Sheriff's Department Marine Patrol and SUNY Brockport, created some challenges due to differences in technical capabilities. However, the LCDOH provided a clear interface between all parties to enable an effective collaboration program. Residents and Marine Patrol staff were responsible for observing the occurrence of algae blooms. LCDOH performed initial evaluations and made contact with all parties. SUNY Brockport students and staff performed the sampling and analyses. LCDOH provided feedback on analysis results to interested parties. The resident participation created a sense of control that they were part of a program that benefits them and all water users. Collaborating directly with those that have a vested interest in the water quality and their knowing that they are a vital and active component of the surveillance program has proven to be beneficial.

Time and mileage provided by the LCDOH were provided as in-kind services. Two grants were utilized by State University of New York at Brockport staff and students. A grant from the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Allicance of $1000 was used for transportation costs for SUNY Brockport students and staff to travel to Conesus Lake to assist in investigating blooms and to collect samples. SUNY Brockport performed the toxin analyses under a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This grant provides funding to several area colleges to monitor for harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. LCDOH was able to work with SUNY Brockport staff to include analyses of the Conesus Lake samples with the further reaching grant program.

An initial training session was held to meet the volunteers and teach lakeshore residents what harmful algal blooms might look like, and how and whom to notify if a bloom is observed. Investigation of reported blooms was conducted by the LCDOH. All of the time and mileage expenses incurred by the LCDOH were provided in-kind. Estimated costs for armful algal bloom monitoring training, investigation, and analyses are as follows: training - $100, investigation - $1300, anaylses - $500.

Conesus Lake is one of New York's famous Finger Lakes. The lake is surrounded with residential dwellings, some seasonal, and the watershed includes approximately 80% agricultural operations. The entire lake, at least once annually, turns a deep green as algae blooms occur in response to water temperature, nutrient content, weather and algal conditions. Smaller localized blooms occur more frequently throughout the summer months. During these blooms, reports of contact dermatitis are frequently reported. This raised a concern for the occurrence of harmful algal blooms in Conesus Lake. To determine whether algal blooms pose a public health threat, sampling and analysis of the lake water during an algae bloom is necessary. Although a variety of toxins are produced by a multitude of algae species, it was determined that the major species of algae typically present in Conesus Lake would produce the toxin microcystin. The analysis method used measured the levels of the toxin microcystin in the lake water. There are currently no regulated standards that indicate a safe level of the toxin that may be present in water. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines for drinking water and recreational contact. If detected, the level of toxin present in the water was compared to the guidance values to determine if a public health advisory should be made. An issue with monitoring for HAB's, is being able to identify a bloom as soon as possible. Recognizing that staff cannot be placed on the lake shorelines to watch for blooms to occur, assistance was solicited from lakeshore residents. Approximately 25 residents and the local Sheriff's Department Marine Patrol volunteered to watch for blooms to occur. A training session was prepared and presented to the volunteers and marine patrol to help ensure that they would be effective in identifying blooms. Each volunteer was provided visual tools, to aid in bloom identification, and contact information so that if they did observe a bloom, they knew whom to contact. When notification of a bloom occurrence was made, LCDOH staff were dispatched to perform an initial investigation of the bloom and verify that it was a bloom of concern. If the bloom was of concern, SUNY Brockport staff and students were alerted and reported to the bloom location to collect samples. The samples were transported to the SUNY Brockport laboratory for analysis for the presence of microcystin. Because of uncertainties associated with the occurrence of algal blooms, the unknown levels of the toxin, and unknown travel time from a bloom to public water supply intakes, weekly sampling and analysis of drinking water in two water systems were also conducted. The regular analysis provided confidence that LCDOH would know if levels of the toxin produced by algae would approach established guidelines. If the WHO guidelines were approached for either recreational contact or drinking water use, public notifications of the potential health hazard would have been made.

Livingston County Department of Health has taken the lead in establishing this program and coordinating collaborations among the participating parties. All investigations are being done through the County Health Department as in-kind services. Other grants that are used to fund this program are stable for this year. The program may lose grant funding the following year. The cost associated with analysis and transport is minimal and may be covered by county funding if the grant programs will no longer be available. It is expected that this program will continue into the future.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that there are no human or animal health impacts associated with algea blooms occurring in Conesus Lake.

Objective 1: Educate and train a select group of lakeshore residents and Sheriff Officers to identify when an algae bloom was occurring and to notify the Livingston County Department of Health (LCDOH).

Performance Measure: A training meeting was held to inform residents and Marine Patrol how to identify algae bloom. A group of approximately 30 individuals were trained.

Feedback: Algal blooms were reported to the Livngston County Department of Health. Analyses were conducted and results were compared to applicable standards. No changes in the training portion of this program were made.

Outcome: The outcome was that the group of trained residents and Marine Patrol were successful in making bloom identifications.

Objective 2: LCDOH would visually investigate the bloom and make arrangements for sampling and analyses of algae laden water.

Performance Measure: Upon notification LCDOH staff investigated reported blooms.

Feedback: Blooms were evaluated to determine if sampling was needed. In the future, sampling will be conducted by LCDOH staff to reduce SUNY staff time.

Outcome: All reported blooms were visually evaluated.

Objective 3: Lake water and drinking water samples were analyzed for the levels of the toxin present. Appropriate public health notifications would be made if levels of the toxin were at or above WHO guidelines for drinking water and recreational contact.

Performance Measure: Samples were collected to determine the levels of toxins present in the water.

Feedback: Analyses results were compared to applicable standards for toxin levels. No notifications were made and results were below applicable standards.

Outcome: The outcome is that all algae blooms of concern were evaluated, sampled and the results were compared to guidelines for public health protection. No toxin levels were found above guidelines.