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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.