Document ZJkoxyaLQJ12kbmyqrZMNqw50

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 9/12/2017 8:22:31 PM Peter Chawaga [pchawaga@vertmarkets.com] Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: Water Online Interview Request: Materials For Cyanobacterial Bloom Management Hi Peter, Thanks for your patience. Attributable to an EPA spokesperson: What statistics or anecdotes can you share that demonstrate the dangers that cyanobacterial bloom presents in recreational waters? The adverse human health effects due to exposure to cyanotoxins and the outbreaks of illness related to harmful blooms are described in EPA's Human Health Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria or Swimming Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin (referred to as the draft recreational AWQC, EPA 822-P-16-002 published December 2016). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects information on outbreaks of illness related to HABs reported via the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) and the Harmful Algal Bloom-Related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS) (https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html). Why did the EPA think this was an important time to compile these materials to help with bloom management? These materials were released in July with the goal of supporting state recreational water body managers protect public health from harmful algal blooms (HABs) outbreaks and harmful levels of cyanotoxins for the 2017 recreational season. Additionally, subsequent to the release of EPA's draft recreational AWQC, states expressed interest in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developing tools and information materials to support the development of state cyanotoxin monitoring programs, communicating potential health risks to the public, and addressing HAB outbreaks. How can proper management of cyanobacterial bloom in waterbodies be critical for drinking water and/or wastewater treatment operations? It is critical to take actions to prevent occurrence of HABs in water bodies (including those that serve as drinking water sources) in the first place. Addressing nutrient pollution (i.e., excess nitrogen and phosphorus) can help reduce the occurrence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Please see the following webpages: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policv-data/monitoring-and-responding-cvanobacteria-and-cyanotoxins-recreationalwaters#t4 and https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/what-epa-doing-reduce-nutrient-pollution As a long-term strategy, states may consider adopting numeric nutrient criteria and/or numeric interpretations of a narrative nutrient criterion into their water quality standards. Treatment measures can be employed once blooms have already occurred to control or remove blooms in water bodies; however, these treatments may have limitations regarding effectiveness and may have adverse impacts on other aquatic organisms (https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpolicy-data/control-and-treatment#what2). For more information on how to manage the risks of harmful algal blooms and cyanotoxins in drinking water please go to the following EPA webpage: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-anddrinking-water/cyanotoxins-drinking-water Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00026439-00001 How did the EPA compile recommendations on what waterbody managers can do to prepare for cyanobacterial bloom in the future? EPA worked closely with a Focus Group, which was comprised of six states and the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) staff. In developing the materials for recreational waterbody managers for monitoring and responding to cyanobacterial blooms, the EPA/ACWA Focus Group built not only upon work previously done by EPA, but also extensively on the great work done by state programs that have already been established. How did the EPA compile its recommendations on what waterbody managers should do once bloom is identified or suspected? See answer to question number 4. Of all the PDFs included in this list, which one or two do you highlight as being the most critical for protecting waterbodies from bloom? For dealing with bloom once it is detected? Regarding the question on protecting waterbodies from bloom, please see the webpage "What Can Be Done to Reduce the Occurrence of Cyanobacterial Blooms?" at: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policv-data/monitoring-and-respondingcvanobacteria-and-cyanotoxins-recreational-waters#t4 and https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/control-andtreatment#what2. Regarding the question on dealing with a bloom once it is detected, please see the webpage "What Should a Recreational Waterbody Manager Do if a Cyanobacterial Bloom is Identified or Suspected?" at: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policv-data/monitoring-and-responding-cvanobacteria-and-cyanotoxins-recreationalwaters#t6. For more information on how to manage the risks of harmful algal blooms and cyanotoxins in drinking water please go to the following webpage: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/cyanotoxins-drinkingwater Although they are intended for waterbody managers, are any of these tools useful for drinking and/or wastewater utilities as well? See the answer to number 3. From: Peter Chawaga [mailto:pchawaga@vertmarkets.com] Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 11:52 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Subject: Water Online Interview Request: Materials For Cyanobacterial Bloom Management Hi Enesta, I am hoping you can help me get written answers to the below or point me in the right direction for a story I'm working on about the EPA's release of materials for cyanobacterial bloom management in recreational waters. I'm hoping for answers by next Thursday, 9/7. Would that be possible? Thanks, Peter 1. What statistics or anecdotes can you share that demonstrate the dangers that cyanobacterial bloom presents in recreational waters? 2. Why did the EPA think this was an important time to compile these materials to help with bloom management? 3. How can proper management of cyanobacterial bloom in waterbodies be critical fro drinking water and/or wastewater treatment operations? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00026439-00002 4. How did the EPA compile recommendations on what waterbody managers can do to prepare for cyanobacterial bloom in the future? 5. How did the EPA compile its recommendations on what waterbody managers should do once bloom is identified or suspected? 6. Of all the PDFs included in this list, which one or two do you highlight as being the most critical for protecting waterbodies from bloom? For dealing with bloom once it is detected? 7. Although they are intended for waterbody managers, are any of these tools useful for drinking and/or wastewater utilities as well? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00026439-00003