| Practice Type: |
Promising |
| Program Name: |
Identification and Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms |
| Organization: |
Livingston County Department of Health |
| Web site: |
www.livingstoncounty.us |
| Overview: |
The ultimate goal of this program 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; and appropriate public health notifications would be made if levels of the toxin were near WHO guidelines for drinking water and recreational contact.
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| Year Submitted: |
2006 |
| Responsiveness and Innovation: |
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 supplies 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.
This is a new practice in the field of public health. Research efforts conducted to evaluate algal toxicity were not fruitful even though the occurrence and prevalence of algal blooms are becoming more widespread, nationwide. Efforts were made to contact research biologists at colleges to gather information about the potential for a public health issue related to 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 we 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.
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| Agency and Community Roles: |
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 for 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.
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| Costs and Expenditures: |
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 Alliance 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.
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| Implementation: |
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 supplies 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.
This is a new practice in the field of public health. Research efforts conducted to evaluate algal toxicity were not fruitful even though the occurrence and prevalence of algal blooms are becoming more widespread, nationwide. Efforts were made to contact research biologists at colleges to gather information about the potential for a public health issue related to 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 we 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.
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| Sustainability: |
Livingston County Department of Health has taken 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.
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| Lessons Learned: |
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