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Geist Public Meeting April 29, 2008

Blue Green Algae and Geist: Agency Approaches. Geist Public Meeting April 29, 2008. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Indiana Department of Environmental Management Indiana State Department of Health. Introduction. Dr. Lenore Tedesco: CEES

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Geist Public Meeting April 29, 2008

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  1. Blue Green Algae and Geist: Agency Approaches Geist Public MeetingApril 29, 2008 Indiana Departmentof Natural Resources Indiana Department of Environmental Management Indiana State Department of Health

  2. Introduction Dr. Lenore Tedesco:CEES Dr. James Howell: Indiana State Department of Health Bruno Pigott:Indiana Department of Environmental Management Ron McAhron:Indiana Department of Natural Resources

  3. Health Risk Associated with Recreation Use of Untreated Surface Water James Howell, DVM, MPH Diplomate, ACVPM State Epidemiologist Indiana State Department of Health

  4. Untreated Surface Water • Ponds, creeks, rivers, lakes, sea shores • Unfiltered to remove protozoa parasites • Untreated with chemicals to destroy bacteria or virus

  5. Viruses of Concern • Hepatitis A • Enterovirus • 29 Coxsackie viruses • 28 Echoviruses • 5 other • Norovirus

  6. Bacteria of Concern • Campylobacter • E. coli 0157:H7 • Leptospira • Salmonella • Shigella • Swimmer’s ear

  7. Parasites • Cryptosporidium parvum • Naegleria • Swimmer’s itch • Acanthamoeba

  8. Toxins • Cyanotoxins are a diverse group of chemical substances that are categorized by toxic effects as follows: • Neurotoxinsaffect the nervous system. • Hepatotoxins affect the liver. • Tumor promoters - chemicals that can increase tumor growth.

  9. Toxins • Cynobacteria • Microcystins - liver, tumor promotor • Saxitoxins - neurotoxin • Anatoxin-a - neurotoxin • Nodularins - liver, tumor promotor • Lipopolysaccharide - inflammation • Cylindrospermopsin – liver other organs

  10. Cyanotoxin Human Health Effects • Skin • Rashes, hives, skin blisters • Inhalation • Runny eyes and/or nose, sore throat, asthma-like syndrome, allergic reactions • Swallowing • Acute and severe gastroenteritis • Liver toxicity • Neurological symptoms

  11. Effects on Pets and Domestic Animals • Drinking contaminated water may cause • Photosensitization • Liver failure • Neurological • Signs and Symptoms • Lethargy, muscle tremors, rapid breathing, • Twitching, paralysis, convulsions • Can cause death

  12. Fish from Contaminated Waters • Shellfishsuch as fresh water mussels can bio-accumulate toxins and should not be eaten • Healthy fish may be eaten,but should exclude liver and kidneys

  13. Bottom Line • Riskof health effects is dose dependent • Higherthe level oftoxinpresent, highertherisk • Skin contact, nasal contact, ingestion • The route of exposure can increasetherisk of health affects.

  14. What a Recreational User Can Do • Wise userstakecertain sensible precautions: • Preparebeforeentering the water: • Bringappropriate gear. • Be sure tocheck weatherconditions • Whilein the water: • Recreate ingroups • Alwayssupervisechildren • Try toavoid consuminglarge amounts of water • When you’refinished: • Make sure youshower • Take time toclean your equipment

  15. Blue Green Algae: What are We Doing to Improve Water Quality? Bruno Pigott

  16. Water Quality Issues in the Upper Fall Creek Watershed • 303(d) list of Impaired Waters 2008 • Impairments in the Upper Fall Creek Watershed • E.coli: • Fall Creek-Honey Creek • Fall Creek-Sugar Creek/Deer Creek • Fall Creek-Mud Creek/Little Creek Tributaries • Sly Fork: Brandon Ditch • Minnie Creek Tributaries • PCBs in Fish Tissue: • Geist Reservoir • Fall Creek • Fall Creek/Devon Creek • Mercuryin Fish Tissue: • Fall Creek • Taste and Odor • Geist Reservoir • Algae • Geist Reservoir

  17. Impairments Upper Fall Creek Watershed

  18. Taking Action to Improve Water Quality • Citizen Action: Geist Residents are Organized • IDEM and other agencies work with watershed groups • Central Indiana Water Resources Partnership • Preliminary Report on Water Quality and Nutrient Cycling in the Watershed • Reservoir Research • IDEM Watershed Work

  19. IDEM Work in the Watershed • IDEM Sampling Upper Fall Creek Watershed • 73 sites for: • Nutrients • Metals • Chemistry • 30 sites for pesticides

  20. IDEM Work in the Watershed • An IDEM Watershed Team: • Cross Section of IDEM Office of Water Quality programs including: • Drinking Water • Permits • Compliance • Assessment • Watershed Planning • Purpose: • Review Monitoring Data • Review Permit, Compliance information in the Watershed • Work with Watershed Groups • Propose things we can do to improve Water Quality in the Watershed

  21. Coordination • CEES Monitoring Geist Reservoir • IDEM Sampling Upper Fall Creek Watershed • DNR and ISDH providing information • Organizations and Agencies are Coordinating work to Leverage our knowledge

  22. Going Forward: Ron McAhron

  23. Pilot Project • Established Website: Algae.in.gov • Samples from biweekly Monitoring Mid-May through Mid–October analyzed and posted • Providepublic with Informationabout: • Toxins from Algae • Risks associated with toxins • Precautions you can take • Information from other organizations • Several links to other websites

  24. Conclusion Questions? • Dr. Lenore Tedesco, CEES • Dr. James Howell, Indiana State Department of Health • Bruno Pigott, Indiana Department of Environmental Management • Ron McAhron, Department of Natural Resources

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