Ramien Sereshk Ph.D. (c), C.P.H.I.(C)

78th AEC 2018-CIPHI Conference

Recreational waters: innovative technologies and sampling strategies

Disclaimer

The presenter at this educational session has not received financial or commercial support of any kind from any sponsor. The presenter has no potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Halton Region Health Department Mission Statement

Together with the Halton community, the Health Department works to achieve the

best possible health for all

Presentation Outline

• Legislative Background• E. coli Persistence Model• Cyanotoxins• Potential Health Effects• Halton Region Public Beaches• Sampling Strategies & Technologies• Next steps

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Ministry of Health-Ontario Public Health Standards

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Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2016

Environmental Health-Safe WaterGoals

� Prevent or reduce the burden of water-borne illness related to drinking water

� Prevent or reduce the burden of water-borne illness & Injury related to recreational water use

Ministry of Health-Ontario Public Health Standards

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Recreational Water and Beach Management Protocol

Purpose• Prevent or reduce the burden of water-borne

illness & Injury related to recreational water use at public beaches

Weekly Beach Inspections� Weekly tests for E. coli� Monitor for BGA

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Membrane Filtration

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WarningWater was unsafe

yesterdayNot sure about todayCome back tomorrow

TomorrowWater was unsafe again yesterday

We are still not sure about today, but

We can tell you that tomorrow

WarningBacterial Levels exceed the provincial standard Unsafe for swimming

1 2

3 4 The Next DayIf you swam yesterday, you're okay, water was

fine! Don’t worry!Today "might" be fine too

BUT-We won't sample again until next Wed.

Have a great day!

Briggs, 2014

Neurotoxins(e.g., Anatoxins)

Hepatotoxins(e.g.,

Microcystins)

Dermatoxins(e.g.,

Apylsiatoxins)

Most common

Cell rupture

Cyanobacteria(BGA)

Cyanotoxins

Temporal distribution of cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria density

USGS, 2008

Potential Health EffectsCyanotoxin Symptoms

Hepatotoxins Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and potential liver damage

Dermatoxins Itchy, irritated skin and eyes

Neurotoxins Paralysis, seizure, and potentially death

Severity of symptoms is dependent on the route of exposure, dose, and type of toxin

Halton Region Public BeachesBeach Location Water Source

Beachway Park Burlington Lake Ontario

Brant Street Beach Burlington Lake Ontario

Bronte Beach Park Oakville Lake Ontario

Coronation Park East Oakville Lake Ontario

Coronation Park West Oakville Lake Ontario

Kelso Conservation Area

Milton Kelso Lake

Prospect Park Halton Hills Fairy Lake

Beachway Park

Beachway Park Map. Photo courtesy of Google Maps, 2016 Beachway Park Map. Photo courtesy of Google Maps, 2016

Kelso Lake

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Kelso Lake. Photo courtesy of Halton Region, 2015

Kelso Lake

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Kelso Lake. Photo courtesy of Halton Region, 2015

Microcystins Timeline, Kelso Lake

August 14, 2017

August 15, 2017August

15, 2017

August 26, 2017 September 1, 2017

September 1, 2017

Temporal distribution of cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria density

USGS, 2008

DateVisual Presence

1=Yes, 0=No **test result

July 6, 2017 0

July 13, 2017 0

July 20, 2017 0

July 27, 2017 0

August 3, 2017 0

August 10, 2017 0

August 14, 2017 1

August 15, 2017 0 (**7.08 ppb)

August 26, 2017 1

August 27, 2017 1

August 28, 2017 1

August 29, 2017 1

August 30, 2017 1

August 31, 2017 1

September 1, 2017 0 (**8.21 ppb)

Kelso Lake, 2017

Sampling Procedures

Abrascan Mirocystin Test Strip Reader. Photo courtesy of Halton Region, 2016Beachway Park Map. Photo courtesy of Google Maps, 2016

On-site Microcystins Test Strip Reader

Abrascan Mirocystin Test Strip Reader. Photo courtesy of Halton Region, 2016Test Strip. Photo courtesy of Halton Region, 2016

Next Steps

Kung, 2014 DJI, 2015

• Predictive modelling is a statistical technique used to predict beach water quality on a near real-time basis.

• Required resources: 1. Tools 2. Staff 3. Funding

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Next Steps

Inspect

Run Model

Decision-

Post/Not

post

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Next Steps

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Niagara Region, 2014

Next Steps

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Argos-system, 2014

Next Steps

Acknowledgements• Halton Region Health Department

� Nicole Mathews-Acting Director, Environmental Health� Nicholas Kuchmak-Public Health Inspector� Anthony Colaco-Public Health Inspector� Lisa Chia-Public Health Inspector

• Health Canada • Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate

Change• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care• Public Health Ontario• United States Environmental Protection Agency• United States Geological Survey

References• Carmichael W. W. Gorham P. R. (1981). The mosaic nature of toxic blooms

of cyanobacteria. In: WW. Carmichael, editor The water environment: Algal toxins and health New York (NY): Plenum. p 161-172. DOI 10.1007/978-1-4613-3267-1_12

• Dji. (2015). Phantom 1 - DJI's First Small Size Ready-To-Fly Vtol, Integrated Multi-Rotor Aircraft For Aerial Filming | DJI. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.dji.com/product/phantom

• Graham, J.L., Loftin, K.A., Ziegler, A.C., and Meyer, M.T., (2008). Guidelines for design and sampling for cyanobacterial toxin and taste-and-odor studies in lakes and reservoirs: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5038, 39 p.

• Kung, A. (2014). Canada Leading the Pack on Drone Regulations, Reduces Restrictions. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://quadcopteruniverse.com/blogs/news/18076743-canada-leading-the-pack-on-drone-regulations-reduces-restrictions

• Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division. (2016). Oregon Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance (HABS) Program Sampling Guidelines: Cyanobacterial Harmful Bloom in Recreational Waters. Retrieved from

Thank you