Cyanobacterial management in Australia s states and territories

Transcription

1 Cyanobacterial management in Australia s states and territories Vanora Mulvenna Senior Policy Officer, Environmental Health Unit

2 State and Territory Cyanobacterial Management Frameworks

3 Queensland Queensland Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan Key responsibilities - Dept. of Environment and Resource Mgt» Bloom response in unsupplemented freshwater, estuarine and marine environments» Signage and HAB clean-up activities» Analytical services and advice on monitoring - Queensland Health» Public health advice and provision of analytical services - Department of Primary Industries (DEEDI)» Advice on animal (including fish) health and agriculture» Monitoring of licensed oyster areas for marine biotoxins - Local Governments» Local/regional contact for HAB enquiries» Signage and HAB clean-up activities - Water Storage Operators» Routine monitoring for HABs in supplemented freshwaters» Information to water users, community and stakeholders

4 Victoria Victorian Blue-Green Algae Circular Provides information on blue-green algal coordination within Victoria Key responsibilities Department of Sustainability and Environment» State Coordinator for BGA blooms» Collects data on BGA to monitor trends Department of Health» Provides public health advice» Administers the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 Regional Coordinator» Coordinates management of local blooms and regional emergency planning for regional blooms Local Water Manager» Manages blooms within their local water body (including sampling, signage etc.) Additional agency support» EPA Victoria (e.g. lead agency in fish death incidents), Department of Primary Industries (advice on irrigation and stock supplies)

5 New South Wales New South Wales Algal Management Strategy Key responsibilities State Algal Advisory Group (SAAG)» Provides over arching policy advice and framework for the management of fresh water and marine blooms» Technical Advisory Group (TAG) sub-group formed to deliberate technical issues and advise the SAAG NSW Office of Water» Lead agency for water management in NSW and coordinates both State Algal Advisory Group and Regional Algal Coordinating Committees Regional Algal Coordinating Committees» Responsible for local management of algal blooms Water body managers (specific to the region and area of issue)» Can include NSW Office of Water (rivers), Sydney Catchment Authority, State Water Corporation, local government and other water utilities (power & water)

6 Western Australia WA State Algal Management Strategy Lead agency: Department of Water (DoW); Support agencies: Swan River Trust (SRT), WA Health, Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Lead agency key roles: Algal/phytoplankton monitoring in historically significant fresh and estuarine waterways, nutrient reduction strategies, bloom coordination and incident response Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan for Recreational Waters Fresh or estuarine waters Lead agency: WA Health, SRT; Marine waters Lead agency: DEC or WA Health Lead agency key roles: liaise with agencies, coordinate media statements, organise warning signs, notify stakeholders Additional key agencies Department of Fisheries Oversight of the Fish Kill Response Manual Water Corporation manage and respond to cyanobacterial drinking water quality incidents Swan River Trust oversight and management of the Swan and Canning Rivers, including algal management initiatives Local government authorities Stakeholder notification within local districts

7 Australian Capital Territory ACT Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality Provide a framework for management of recreational water sites within the ACT Address risks from blue-green algae and microbial pathogens Key responsibilities Health Protection Service (ACT Health)» Assesses information provided by managers of the water body and provides advice on appropriate action» Provides advice on health affects of BGA National Capital Authority» Responsible for Lake Burley Griffin Environment Protection Authority» Responsible for BGA issues in Lake Tuggeranong, Ginninderra, Yerrabi, Gungahlin, Point Hut Pond and Molonglo River

8 Tasmania Recreational Water Quality Guidelines 2007 Primary aim is to protect human health and prevent the transfer of disease-causing organisms during contact with recreational waters. Public Health Act 1997 requires compliance with the guidelines (within the rec guidelines, the Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water are called up as a source of information and advice). Guidelines for the Management of Blooms of Blue- Green Algae in Freshwaters in Tasmania Management of cyanobacteria in untreated (source) water for drinking supplies Key responsibilities Department of Health and Human Services» Administers the Public Health Act to ensure appropriate notification, monitoring and provision of advice to the public Controlling authorities/water suppliers» An agency, public authority or person managing or in control of water

9 Northern Territory Management of Algal Blooms for Potable Water Supply Overarching framework for managing blue green algal blooms on surface water storages, which are used for potable water supply Roles and responsibilities Department of Health and Families Provision of public health advice in relation to cyanobacterial blooms Power and Water Corporation Management of risks to drinking water supplies including sampling Provision of advice to consumers and recreational users of water storages

10 South Australia State blue-green algal task force Meets as required and provides a coordinated and effective response to blue-green algal events The task force includes representatives from the following agencies:» Department of Health» Primary Industries and Resources SA» Department of Water» Murray Darling NRM Board» SA Water

11 Application of national guidelines, alert level frameworks and key messages for specific end uses

12 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water Western Australia Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters will now be commencing adoption of the biovolume approach Drinking water Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004

13 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water Northern Territory Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008 Drinking water Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004

14 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water Queensland Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters Definition of dominant in Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009 is where the known toxin producer comprises 75% or more of the total cyanobacteria in a representative sample Drinking water Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004

15 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water New South Wales Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008 Drinking water Health guideline values: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004 Alert level framework: Cyanobacteria: Management and Implications for Water Quality (Fact Sheet 12; CRCWQT 2006)

16 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water ACT Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008, adapted as follows: Medium alert level: If >20,000 cells/ml (>1.6 mm 3 /ml biovolume equivalent), change warning signs to indicate ed risks for skin irritation, gastro illness High alert level: >50,000 to <125,000 cells/ml M. aeruginosa (>4 to <10 mm 3 /L biovolume equivalent), close water body for primary contact recreation Extreme alert level: >125,000 cells/ml M. aeruginosa, 40,000 cells/ml Anabaena sp., or scums consistently present, advise of increased risk for secondary contact users Additional advice provided on: Tychonema sp. risks to primary contact recreational users Risks from blue-green algae through exposures to aerosols from jet fountains (>50,000 cells/ml M. aeruginosa or >4 mm 3 /L biovolume equivalent)

17 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water Victoria Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008, adapted as follows: Red level Total combined biovolume of known toxic cyanobacterial species is >4 mm 3 /L (i.e. do not apply where a know toxin producer is dominant ) Drinking water Health guideline values: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004 Alert level framework: Cyanobacteria: Management and Implications for Water Quality (Fact Sheet 12; CRCWQT 2006), adapted as follows: High alert - Total combined biovolume of known toxic cyanobacterial species >0.4 mm 3 /L (i.e. do not apply where a know toxin producer is dominant )

18 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water Tasmania Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008 Drinking water Health guideline values: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004 Alert level framework: As specified in the Guidelines for the Management of Blooms of Blue-Green Algae in Freshwaters in Tasmania, specifically: Alert Level 1: 500-2,000 cells/ml Alert Level 2: 2,000-15,000 cells/ml Alert Level 3A (toxic): >15,000 cells/ml Alert Level 3B (non-toxic): >15,000 cells/ml

19 National Guidelines drinking water and recreational water South Australia Recreational water Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008 Drinking Water Draft Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2010

20 Managing blue-green algae risks to livestock Farm dams - If bloom suspected: Remove all stock from the water source and provide alternative supply (NSW, VIC, TAS, QLD) Assess health of stock and/or provide alternative supply as practicable (SA) Supply Reference to Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (QLD DERM and NSW Office of Water)» Microcystis aeruginosa > 11,500 cells/ml» Total microcystin > 2.3 ug/l Reference to Orr & Schneider (2006) risk assessment (NSW Office of Water)» Anabaena circinalis > 25,000 cells/ml Water authority/agency specific risk assessments for supply of water for livestock

21 Managing blue-green algae risks: Water used for irrigation Key messages for irrigators» If an alternative water supply is available, use it to irrigate edible plants in preference to any supplies which are contaminated with blue-green algae» If no other supply is available, avoid direct overhead spray irrigation on the edible parts of the plant» If the use of blue-green algae contaminated water cannot be avoided, thoroughly wash and rinse fruit and vegetables with clean water before sale or consumption e.g. NSW and VIC Departments of Primary Industries and SA Health fact sheets

22 Warning signs HEALTH WARNING THIS WATER MAY EXPERIENCE ALGAL BLOOMS AND ELEVATED BACTERIA LEVELS THESE POLLUTANTS CAN MAKE MUSSELS UNSAFE TO EAT EATING WILD MUSSELS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER ADVICE CONTACT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (08) ALGAL BLOOM WARNING THIS WATER IS EXPIERENCING A HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM CONTACT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS IN HUMANS AND ANIMALS NO DIRECT WATER CONTACT IS RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER ADVICE CONTACT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (08)

23 Questions?