Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae): a Guide for Water Utilities
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Water Quality Research Australia membership at May 2010 Industry Members Australian Water Association Ltd Barwon Region Water Corporation Ben Lomond Water Central Gippsland Regional Water Corporation Central Highlands Water City West Water Ltd Coliban Region Water Corporation Degrémont Pty Ltd Department of Human Services (Vic) Management Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation Goulburn Valley Regional Water Corporation Hunter Water Corporation Water Quality Research Australia Limited Melbourne Water Corporation Strategies for GPO BOX 1751, Adelaide SA 5001 Power & Water Corporation South Australian Water Corporation For more information about WQRA visit the website South East Water Limited www.wqra.com.au Cyanobacteria Sydney Catchment Authority United Water International Pty Ltd Wannon Region Water Corporation Water Corporation of WA Research Report 74 (blue-green algae): Yarra Valley Water Ltd Research Members Australian Water Quality Centre a Guide for Water Centre for Appropriate Technology ChemCentre Curtin University of Technology Flinders University Utilities Griffith University Monash University Murdoch University RMIT University University of Adelaide University of Newcastle University of NSW University of Queensland The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Quality and University of South Australia Treatment operated for 13 years as Australia’s national drinking University of Technology, Sydney water research centre. It was established and supported under the University of Wollongong Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. Victoria University The CRC for Water Quality and Treatment officially ended General Members in October 2008, and has been succeeded by Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA), a company funded by the Department of Water (WA) Australian water industry. WQRA will undertake collaborative GHD research of national application on drinking water quality, recycled Lower Murray Urban and Rural Water Corporation water and relevant areas of wastewater management. NSW Department of Health Research Report Syme and Nancarrow Water The research in this document was conducted during the term of Water Futures the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment and the final report completed under the auspices of WQRA. 74 Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae): A Guide for Water Utilities Gayle Newcombe, Jenny House, Lionel Ho, Peter Baker and Michael Burch Research Report No 74 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE): A GUIDE FOR WATER UTILITIES DISCLAIMER The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment officially ended October 2008, and has been succeeded by Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA), a company funded by the Australian water industry. WQRA and individual contributors are not responsible for the outcomes of any actions taken on the basis of information in this research report, nor for any errors and omissions. WQRA and individual contributors disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by a person in reliance upon the whole or any part of this research report. This research report does not purport to be a comprehensive statement and analysis of its subject matter, and if further expert advice is required the services of a competent professional should be sought. Water Quality Research Australia Limited 2010 Location: WQRA Head Office Level 3, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000 Postal Address: GPO BOX 1751, Adelaide SA 5001 For more information about WQRA visit the website www.wqra.com.au Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) and their Toxins: a Guide for Water Utilities Research Report 74 ISBN 18766 16245 June 2010 CRC FOR WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT – RESEARCH REPORT 74 FOREWORD Research Report Title: Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) and their Toxins: a Guide for Water Utilities Research Officers: Jenny House, Lionel Ho Project Leader: Gayle Newcombe Research Nodes: Australian Water Quality Centre CRC for Water Quality and Treatment Project No. 2.0.2.4.1.2: Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae): a Guide for Water Utilities i MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE): A GUIDE FOR WATER UTILITIES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was supported financially by a partnership of the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment, SA Water, United Water International and Veolia Water. Staff from these organisations contributed significant guidance to the content of the manual by participating in a steering committee. The authors would like to thank a number of people who reviewed sections of the manual and provided helpful expert advice. These people included A/Professor Justin Brookes, Dr Suzanne Froscio, Dr Peter Hobson and Dr Andrew Humpage. Dr Olivia Thorne developed some useful spreadsheets to assist in calculations for models in the source water section. Finally thanks go to the external reviewers for the manual: Dr Shane Haydon and Dr Lee Bowling. Lee Bowling in particular made very thoughtful and useful suggestions to improve the interpretation and practical application of the Alert Levels Framework developed for this manual. ii CRC FOR WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT – RESEARCH REPORT 74 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae): A Guide for Water Utilities is a comprehensive manual, which consolidates current knowledge on the management of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). The guide covers management strategies of source water and all stages of the treatment process. The guide provides an introduction to cyanobacteria including an outline of the health effects of toxins and description of the tastes and odours associated with cyanobacteria. The current guidelines and standards that relate to toxic cyanobacteria are described. Source water management is covered including a description of the life cycle of cyanobacteria and factors affecting growth to help the water supplier understand the effect of management strategies for the control of cyanobacteria. Sampling and monitoring programs and their rationale are also described. An overview of the best procedure for assessing the risk of toxic algal outbreaks in a water supply and a description of the monitoring aid known as the „Alert Levels Framework‟ are covered. An evaluation of nutrient control, mixing strategies and algicides is included in the review of source water management practices. Treatment strategies are described including advice on conventional treatment, oxidation by chlorine and ozone and adsorption by granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC), biological filtration, UV and membranes and multiple barrier options. Finally recommendations are made regarding the most cost-effective treatment strategies for given particular conditions. The following flow diagram (Figure 1) summarises the major management processes recommended when cyanobacteria are present in a water supply. The processes follow from the reservoir to the treatment plant and identify potential tools and actions to deal with each particular management task. The flow diagram is designed so that a water manager can: identify when and where a problem exists identify a management tool or action that may be appropriate for their situation gain further information on that action from the relevant section in the guide. A comprehensive summary of the treatment options available for the management of cyanobacteria and their metabolites is given in Tables 22 and 23. iii MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE): A GUIDE FOR WATER UTILITIES Figure 1: Quick reference guide to tasks in management of cyanobacteria. iv CRC FOR WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT – RESEARCH REPORT 74 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... ii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... viii 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 What are Cyanobacteria? .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Why are cyanobacteria a problem, particularly for drinking water supplies? .......................... 3 1.2 Health Effects ................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 What are the known health effects of cyanobacteria? ............................................................ 3 1.2.2 Why are health effects important to water managers-what does it mean for operations? ..... 9 1.3 Guidelines and Standards.............................................................................................................. 9 1.3.1 What are drinking