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

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 :  Neurotoxins affect 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 Shellfish such 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 Risk of health effects is dose dependent  Higher the level of toxin present, higher the risk  Skin contact, nasal contact, ingestion The route of exposure can increase the risk of health affects.

14 What a Recreational User Can Do Wise users take certain sensible precautions :  Prepare before entering the water: Bring appropriate gear. Be sure to check weather conditions  While in the water: Recreate in groups Always supervise children Try to avoid consuming large amounts of water  When you’re finished: Make sure you shower Take time to clean 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  Mercury in 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

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21 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 IDEM Work in the Watershed

22 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

23 Going Forward: Ron McAhron

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

25 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