Blue Green Algae in Indiana: The Role of the State Bruno Pigott Assistant Commissioner Office of Water Quality Indiana Department of Environmental Management Environmental Quality Service Council Meeting October 26, 2009 Senate Chamber, State House

2 Introduction Inception of Program Activities What We Have Learned Statewide Coordination Reporting to the Public IDEM Monitoring Activities in Upper Fall Creek Watershed Future IDEM activities

3 Inception of Programs Public concerns about algae blooms in Geist Reservoir in 2007 Dr. Tedesco/CEES work in reservoirs Senator Gard’s call for coordinated approach to examining this issue

4 What We Have Learned Traditional assumptions of when algae blooms occur have been challenged. Nutrient loadings from a variety of sources, including residential, agricultural, point sources contribute to the problem. Existence of cell counts does not necessarily imply high toxin levels. High toxin levels can occur with low cell counts.

5 Statewide Coordination IDEM has partnered with DNR, ISDH, Indianapolis/Veolia Water, and IUPUI’s Center for the Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) to monitor local reservoirs. IDEM/ISDH partner on Blue Green Algae level advisories to provide public with information.

6 World Health Organization Thresholds Indicator Units Low RiskModerate RiskHigh Risk Cyanobacteria Cell Counts (#/ml) <20,00020,000-<100,000>100,000 Microcystin (ug/L) <1010-<2020> Reporting To the Public:

7 Reporting To the Public IUPUI CEES reports cell levels and toxin counts for Morse, Geist, and Eagle Creek Reservoirs to IDEM 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 Post IDEM/ISDH precautionary advisories

8 Reporting To the Public: Recommendations 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

9 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, Sugar Creek, Honey Creek – PCBs in Fish Tissue Geist, Fall Creek, Devon Creek – Mercury in Fish Tissue Fall Creek, Geist Reservoir – Taste and Odor Geist Reservoir – Algae Geist Reservoir

10 IDEM Upper Fall Creek Watershed Work IDEM Sampling Upper Fall Creek Watershed: 73 sites for: – Nutrients – Metals – Chemistry 30 sites for pesticides

11 IDEM Upper Fall Creek Watershed Work 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 Identify extent of impaired waters within the watershed Identify sources & causes of impairments Review permit, compliance information in the watershed Work with Watershed Groups

12 IDEM Upper Fall Creek Watershed Work

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14 Future IDEM Activities Continued maintenance of Algae Website Continued reporting of algae levels Work to better understand the circumstances that cause algal blooms.

15 Questions? Bruno Pigott Assistant Commissioner Office of Water Quality Indiana Department of Environmental Management