Recommendations for Public Water Systems to Manage Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water June 2015 Office of Water (4606M) EPA 815-R-15-010 June 2015 Disclaimer This document was prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an informational resource for public water systems and primacy agencies to prepare for and respond to the risk of cyanotoxins in finished water. This document is not a regulation; it is not legally enforceable; and it does not confer legal rights or impose legal obligations on any party, including EPA, States, or the regulated community. While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the discussion in this document, the obligations of the regulated community are determined by statutes, regulations, or other legally binding requirements. The recommendations discussed are not a substitute for applicable legal requirements. In the event of a conflict between the discussion in this document and any statute or regulation, this document would not be controlling. Although this document describes suggestions for managing cyanotoxin issues in raw and finished water, the recommendations may not be appropriate for all situations and alternative approaches may be applicable. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an EPA endorsement or recommendation for use. This Page Intentionally Left Blank Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... i Table of Exhibits .................................................................................................................... ii Abbreviations and Acronyms ................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. iv Preparers and Reviewers ....................................................................................................... v Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. vi A. Introduction .......................................................................................................................1 B. What is a Health Advisory? ..................................................................................................2 C. Cyanotoxin Management Plan Development .......................................................................3 D. Potential Cyanotoxin Management Steps ............................................................................5 1 Step 1: Conduct System-Specific Surface Water Evaluation ..................................................6 2 Step 2: Preparation and Observation ...................................................................................7 2.1 Preparation ........................................................................................................................8 2.2 Observation ........................................................................................................................9 2.2.1 Visual Inspection and Phytoplankton Identification ............................................................... 9 2.2.2 System Effects ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3 Other Bloom Indicators ......................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Communication ................................................................................................................ 13 2.4 Source Water Mitigation ................................................................................................... 13 3 Step 3: Monitor for Cyanotoxins in Raw Water and Treatment Adjustments ....................... 15 3.1 Sampling and Analysis for Cyanotoxins .............................................................................. 15 3.1.1 Raw Water Sampling ............................................................................................................. 15 3.1.2 Sampling Logistics ................................................................................................................. 16 3.1.3 Analytical Methods ............................................................................................................... 17 3.2 Communications ............................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Treatment ........................................................................................................................ 17 4 Step 4: Monitor for Cyanotoxins in Raw and Finished Water and Treatment Adjustments .. 22 4.1 Monitoring ....................................................................................................................... 22 4.2 Communications ............................................................................................................... 23 4.3 Treatment ........................................................................................................................ 23 5 Step 5: Monitor for Cyanotoxins in Finished Water, Treatment Adjustments or Additions, and Public Communications .............................................................................................. 23 5.1 Monitoring ....................................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Communications ............................................................................................................... 25 5.3 Treatment ........................................................................................................................ 26 6 References ........................................................................................................................28... Appendix A System-Specific Evaluation Information, Tools, and Resources .............................38 Appendix B Examples of Water Utility and Community Responses to Harmful Algal Blooms.....48 Appendix C Key Questions and Answers .................................................................................50 Appendix D Potential Language for Use in a Cyanotoxin Public Notification and Social Media....54 Appendix E Long Term Mitigation Strategies and Treatment Options .......................................56 i Table of Exhibits Figure 1. Potential management steps public surface water systems may use to determine whether cyanotoxins are present in raw water or finished drinking water. .................................... 5 Figure 2. Traffic light approach to support communication and other actions in response to elevated concentrations of cyanotoxins in finished drinking water. ............................................. 27 ii Abbreviations and Acronyms ASDWA Association of State Drinking Water Administrators AWWA American Water Works Association CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CMP Cyanotoxin Management Plan CT Concentration (oxidant) x Contact Time CWA Clean Water Act DAF Dissolved Air Flotation DBP Disinfection Byproduct DWACT Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox DWMAPS Drinking Water Mapping Application for Protecting Source Waters ECHO Enforcement and Compliance History Online ELISA Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay EPA Environmental Protection Agency GAC Granulated Activated Carbon HAAs Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) HAs Health Advisories HABs Harmful Algal Blooms LC/MS/MS Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry MCL Maximum Contaminant Level MF Microfiltration NF Nanofiltration MIB Methylisoborneol NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPDAT Nitrogen and Phosphorus Data Access Tool NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit PAC Powdered Activated Carbon PWS Public Water System RO Reverse Osmosis SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act STORET STOrage and RETrieval SWC Source Water Collaborative TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load TTHMs Total Trihalomethanes UF Ultrafiltration USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USDA United States Department of Agriculture U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency USGS United States Geological Survey UV Ultraviolet WHO World Health Organization WRF Water Research Foundation iii Acknowledgements EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water would like to thank the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, the States of California, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for their contributions to this document. Additionally, over 500 participants joined EPA at a May 11, 2015 public meeting discussing steps the Agency could take to support states and utilities in managing cyanotoxin risks in drinking water. EPA thanks these participants for their meaningful input which was critical for the development of this document. iv Preparers and Reviewers The following individuals helped to develop and review this document: Hannah Holsinger (U.S. EPA)1 James Hyde (New York State Department Kenneth Rotert (U.S. EPA)1 of Health) Lili Wang (U.S. EPA)1 Holly Kaloz (Ohio EPA) Rachel Carlson (U.S. EPA)1 Kirk Leifheit (Ohio EPA) Ryan Albert (U.S. EPA) Darren Lytle (U.S. EPA) Becky Allenbach (U.S. EPA) Casey Lyon (Oregon Health Authority) Steve Allgeier (U.S. EPA) Beth Messer (Ohio EPA) Blake Atkins (U.S. EPA)