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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-0422 Document Submitted at Mtg Lt T)q Questions about the assumptions: Hyatt Lake is how far below normal levels? As of 4/21/2014 the Bureau of Reclamation shows Hyatt Lake at 48% full. Typically Hyatt Lake is full by now. hqp://www.usbr.goy/pn/hydromet/roguetea.html Has there ever been a perfect storm where both Hyatt and Reeder Reservoirs both had a toxic algae bloom? Why wouldn't this also effect Lost Creek Lake? Both Hyatt and Reeder have had potentially toxic blooms of blue-green algae at the same time. Lost Creek could also have a bloom at the same time as the other reservoirs; however, Medford Water Commission does not draw water directly from Lost Creek where the blooms occur, but from much farther downstream (26 miles) in the Rogue River after significant dilution has occurred : In addition, most oftthe water entering the Medford Water system comes from Big Butte Springs which is not subject to any algal blooms. Where in our snowpack is the 13 inches being measured? How do we know that this is the same place of measurement for the previous years? Share the URL. The snow level currently has been measured in the same location since 1966 on Mt. Ashland at the switchback site (6500' elevation) using Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) procedures. httl2://www.nrcs.usda.goy/wi)s/Dortal/nrcs/main/or/snow/ What is the history of the East/West Forks creeks flow in 2009? How low did it get in the other years? More data is needed here. Reference attached spread sheet that details combined east and west fork flows into Reeder Reservoir in 2009. What are the estimates for water supply demand in August and going forward? Should we be trying to meet our peak demand in a drought? What demand for supply is our aim in late summer? Actual demand can be unpredictable and variable based on temperature and rainfall. Staff will be meeting regularly to discuss conservation messaging and when/if to start any level of curtailment, with Council's final approval based on actual real time data. Emergency definition: does "interruption to water service in Ashland in later summer" assume that that water service is at peak demand or curtailed levels? Interruption in service does not have a demand service associated with it. ' Interruption of service could come at any demand service level due to wildfire, water quality issues, flooding, restricted east and west fork flows, and earthquake, all previously stated in the water master plan Why are we adding TID water to our water before treatment on May 1, 2014, when we have a full reservoir?. I recently stated we would start pumping TID on May 1 st, but with the recent rainfall we need to reassess the start date. Staff met this morning to discuss conservation messaging and curtailment options. Staff will be assessing a date to start using TID water with respect to current real time data. Staff expects to start using TID water when the reservoir first begins to drawdown. In addition, staff prior to startup will checking the operational status of the pump station in order to verify it will work properly for a complete season. What are the one month and two month prediction for rain this spring and summer? Based on the drought summit I recently attended the forecasting model shows rain this week and next week and then a very dry summer with very little precipitation. Additional questions: Lost Creek Lake has had toxic algae blooms how often in the past 15 years? What will Medford do/ what have they done in the tpast when Lost Creek Lake blooms? How will this effect the supply from TAP? See above regarding how it will likely affect the TAP-the main source of Medford water is Big Butte Springs, not Lost Creek. Moreover, unlike Ashland which takes water directly from Reeder Reservoir, Medford takes water 26 miles downstream from Lost Creek Reservoir (during the peak-use summer months water from the Rogue River is used to supplement the Big Butte springs supply). Moreover, given the dilute nature of any toxins that might remain 26 miles downstream and degradation of toxins that occur in transit, the Medford Treatment Plant is well equipped to prevent levels from exceeding OHA guidelines. For example, they employ ozonation which is known to destroy a variety of algal toxins. Additionally the outflow from Lost Creek is generally from lower levels and the blooms are surface oriented. Lost Creek blooms are unlikely to affect supplies from Medford. What years in the past 15 has the city had algae bloom that interfered with water supply to residents? I can't say for the last 15 years, but in each of the past 7 years Reeder has had recurring blooms of potentially toxic algae. These have imparted severe taste and odor compounds to the water annually, and low levels of algal toxins have been measured in some years in the reservoir. A bloom in 2012 showed raw water toxin levels to exceed Oregon Health Authority guidelines in the reservoir; however our water treat process was able to remove the toxins. What is the strategy to mitigate the toxic algae blooms? The strategy to mitigate toxic algae blooms is to take water directly from the east and west fork reservoirs and bypass Reeder Reservoir while an algae treatment strategy is developed and implemented. The city recently completed the silt removal project and each Forks are set to be used in case of a toxic algae bloom. Dr. Jacob Kahn has provided the staff with information regarding best management practices and how lower reservoir levels can increase potential toxic algae blooms. (Jacob Kahn)The chief strategy to mitigate the blooms at this time is to regularly monitor the development of blooms in the reservoir, and to treat the blooms with a non-toxic algaecide when levels begin to accumulate at the surface. This algaecide is hydrogen peroxide-based and works by oxidizing algal cells, but breaks down into water and oxygen. WHAT level of analysis has gone into how much water Medford is going to sell us when the drought affects them too? Lost Creek Lake has a history of getting algae that renders it problematic as a water source. If it's hot and the drought isn't ONLY in Ashland, what amount of water can Ashland realistically expect to get in late August? As previously stated, Medford Water Commission does not draw water directly from Lost Creek where the blooms occur, but from much farther downstream (26 miles) in the Rogue River after significant dilution has occurred. In addition, Medford water does not believe that will need to go into curtailment these years, so Ashland can count on 2.13mgd water in 2014. What does the $325,000 that we pay extra to hurry it up buy? Engineering surcharge?"the inflated cost to complete the project" What is driving this cost? It ensures we have adequate water supply for domestic use during this record low snowpack and drought year when we know that at the latest TID will shut down on September 15th. "If only two of the four pumps can be simultaneously operated, which community would be responsible for upgrading the facility to meet TAP supply needs?" This answer is provided by the contract engineer. "The costs should be minor and would be negotiated between the TAP communities." What does this mean?? The contract engineer can provide more in depth details at tonight's meeting with respect to what the minor modifications are. The modifications in general include changes to the telemetry to all pump stations in the distribution system work together in order to deliver proper flows to the Phoenix, Talent and Ashland systems. When has Ashland supplied much water to fight fires in our watershed? Facts are needed. "Insufficient water to effectively fight drought-exacerbated fires in the Ashland watershed could plausibly cause enough damage in the watershed to undermine its natural water supply functions and could even threaten structures within the City;" Reeder Reservoir is a water supply for firefighting activities in town (Oak Knoll, Siskiyou Complex) and can also be used by helicopters with regards to picking up water and dumping on fires. From: Jacob Kann [mailto:jacob@aquatic-ecosciences.com] Sent: Monday, April 21, 2014 5:48 PM TO:faughtm@ashland.or.us Subject: Reeder Water Levels Hi Mike- as a follow-up to our conversation, there are several ways that low reservoir level could enhance the potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms, also known as Harmful Algal Blooms or HABs: 1. Lower levels can make nutrient rich water available to the upper water layers where algal blooms are typically located (the nutrients can then increase the growth of the blue-greens). 2. Lower levels increase the chance for Warming which favors the blue-green blooms. 3. When levels are lower it creates a protected area along Hostler Dam which allows the taste and odor causing blue-greens to accumulate nearthe plant intake. Lower water levels, especially when combined with warm/calm weather are often associated with blooms of toxic algae. Should we get a large bloom in the reservoir, and if levels of any of the algal. toxins exceed Oregon Health Authority(OHA) Standards, the only remaining line of defense to remove the toxins Is at the water treatment plant. Treatment plants are variably effective at removingtoxins, and the only way to know is with intensive monitoring of the finished water. Should the finished water still exceed OHA guidelines the water would not be potable. According to OHA: "if toxins are found in finished water the public will receive public notification with additional information. You can still use the water for flushing toilets, laundry and irrigation. Drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, hand washing and dishwashing with the contaminated water is not advised." Depending on how quickly the in, reservoir treatment takes to be-effective, and with several subsequent samples needed to confirm that toxin levels in finished water are below OHA guidelines, it is likely to be a minimum of a week before water would be potable.again. As noted byOHA (see attached document): "In addition, if toxins are present, sampling efforts will continue until all toxins are absent regardless of cell counts. Once toxins are no longer present, monitoring will return to pre-bloom or routine monitoring levels." Please let me know if you have any questions.. Jake Jacob Kann, PhM. Aquatic Ecosystem Sciences LLC 295 East main st., suite 7 Ashland, 012,97520 Ph: 541-482-1575 Email: -lacobt aquatic-ecosciehces:mm • own Monitoring, Sampling and Testing Procedures Monitoring, sampling, and testing for cyanobateria and its associated toxins is not currently required by OHA or EPA, however, because of cyanotoxin health concerns, It Is strongly encouraged that some level of water body monitoring for blooms as well as toxin testing should occur. See exhibit 1 for health effects. Monitoring of lake or water body for HAB's • Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) monitoring should be designed to identify if a bloom is occurring and if the associated bloom is toxic. • Identify who is monitoring lake or water body for HABs. This maybe a state or federal agency such as the US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), Portland General Electric (PGE) or other power companies, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), County Parks and Recreation departments. Refer to the HABs maps on OHA's algae resources for drinking water webpage for relevant contact information for these agencies. • Local communication and coordination between lake and/or reservoir owners in addition to otherwater providers within the system is highly encouraged. Water body mangers and local stakeholders should develop partnerships to facilitate and coordinate efforts which could include: who is monitoring, who is testing for ID and enumeration as well as toxin testing, and establish communications protocols regarding how this Information is shared. • Water providers may choose to monitor lake/reservoir for HABs themselves. This could include sampling of the lake for ID enumeration as well as toxins, toxin testing should be done weekly on blooming water body. See Exhibit 2 for an example of water body Monitoring Guidelines. • Water providers work with Drinking Water Services (DWS) to be notified regarding HABs blooms in their source water. • Recreational advisories and warnings for HABs are posted online here or by calling (877) 290-6767 and press 0, or you can sign up be on an email list serve by emailing, Ha b.healthColstate.or.us Sampling and Testing Procedures for HABs • Collect a grab sample at the bloom site to be analyzed for identification and enumeration (to determine the presence of toxin-producing species). See Exhibit 3 for a list of cyanobacteria and associated toxins. • If an algal species is present that is a potential toxin producer, and cell densities are above World Health Organization (WHO) action levels, as referenced in the Table 1 below, toxin testing should ideally be conducted at the bloom site to determine if bloom is toxic or not. Table 1. WHO Cyanobacteria Cell Count Action Levels that trigger toxin sampling for Drinking Water Species Action Level 4icrocystis spp. 2,000 cells/mL Combination of all potentially toxic cyanobacteria 15,000 celis/mL species resent - Page 1 1. 15.13 , • If the blooming water body has not been tested for toxins, water providers have two options: 1) PWS can test the water body themselves (or work collaboratively with other water utilities/stakeholders to do the testing) on a weekly basis at the densest blooming location. If toxins are detected at any level in the blooming water body, toxin testing at the nearest PWS intake should occur weekly until the bloom is gone. Option 2) Collect a raw water sampleat the intake to the water treatment plant weekly for associated toxins until bloom is gone. If the raw water sample detects toxins, collect raw and finished water samples weekly until the bloom is gone. • OHA Sample Guidelines for Cyanobacterial Harmful Blooms in Recreation Waters can be found here. • USGS Sampling Guidelines field manual is available here Toxin testing at water system treatment plant If cyanobacteria and associated toxins are detected you are advised to: • Collect samples of raw and finished water weekly at your intake/water treatment plant to be tested for associated toxins. Finished water sampling should be done at entry point to distribution system. • To determine what toxins to test for, see Exhibit 3. • Refer to individual lab instructions for sampling instructions such as hold times, preservation, shipment, etc. For a list of labs that can perform algae testing see here. • OHA has developed acute toxicity values for cyanotoxins in drinking water (see Table 2). Public water systems should consult with OHA's Drinking Water Services to determine the appropriate response if cyanotoxins are detected at any level in finished water. Table 2.OHA Drinking Water Acute Toxicity Values for Toxins Cyanotoxin Anatoxin-a Cylindrospermopsin Microcystin Saxitoxin (WJL) pg/L pg/L 41g/L) Guideline 3 1 1 3 Value • Water utilities are encouraged to work together with other water utilities/stakeholder in your basin to find opportunities to reduce sampling burden and cost, such as sampling at the first water treatment plant downstream of the blooming water body that has detected toxins. Test results should be shared with all water utilities/stakeholders in your basin. See HABS maps for historical bloom locations & water utilities/stakeholders contact information per basin. • Consider additional testing of the blooming water body periodically for algal species identification and cell counts if not already being done by another organization to determine bloom progression. • Contact your state drinking water regulator to consult with regarding toxin testing and results, contact list online or call (971) 673-0405. • Initiate a public communications plan to address customers concerns. See Exhibit 4 for some FAWs regarding HAB's, When toxin testing at. treatment plants can be discontinued o Once the bloom has subsided, as evidenced by the cell counts and toxin levels falling below levels (see Table 1 for cell count action levels and Table 2 for acute toxicity values), monitoring will return to pre- Bloom or routine monitoring. In addition, If toxins are present, sampling efforts will continue until all toxins are absent regardless of cell counts. Once toxins are no longer present, monitoring will return to pre-bloom or routine monitoring levels. • Communicate with water systems/stakeholders in the basin to convey the bloom has subsided. Page 2 1.15.13 Public Notification • Utilities should be prepared to communicate to their customers regarding various scenarios that could arise when HAB's are identified in the watershed of the water utility's source water. Scenarios include: 1) HABs in water body in/or upstream of your intake 2) Algal toxins detected in your raw water at your intake, 3) toxins detected (but lower than acute levels) in your finished water, 4) toxin detected above acute levels in finished water. • Public water systems should consult with OHA Drinking Water Services to determine the appropriate response if cyanotoxins are detected at any level in finished water. See exhibit 5 for public notice template. • See Exhibit 4 forsome general talking points. Treatment Options t. Reduce introduction of algal cells into the treatment process • Don't recycle backwash water- Backwash water can contain high concentrations of algal cells that may rupture and release toxins. • Consider taking WTP offline and completely cleaning basin or affected areas. This may be helpfu I if you are dealing with an in-plant bloom and need to remove the algae growing in basins/filters or other treatment processes. • Use alternate source water: If toxins are detected in source or finished water, consider using alternate source if available such as well water, emergency intertie, etc. 2. Remove intact algal cells and prevent lysing of cells during coagulation, sedimentation/clarification and filtration • Minimize preoxidation -Preoxidation with chlorine and ozone can cause algae cells to rupture, thus releasing toxins. (In some cases, preoxidation will be necessary to meet Giardia and virus inactivation requirements, so preoxidation can only be reduced and not eliminated). • Adjust coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration - Careful monitoring and adjustment of coagulation and filtration processes (chemical dosages, loading rates, detention times, etc) may improve algae removal. Intact cells removed by these processes will significantly reduce the possibility that toxins will be present in the finished water. • Optimize filtration: Slow filter loading rates, conduct frequent backwashing of filters. 3. Reduce or remove algal toxins by oxidationor absorption • Absorb toxins: Powdered activated carbon: Activated carbon has also proven to remove many soluble toxins very well at a dose of 25 mg/Lwith a contact time of 30 minutes. GranuforActivated Carbon (GAC) is effective at removal of toxins but must be replaced at a more frequent interval than in normal ' operation. • Adjust post-filtration disinfection - Once the algae cells are removed from the water, soluble toxins can be destroyed by chlorine or ozone, which are strong oxidants. Effectiveness varies depending upon the dose and the algal toxin type. For more detailed information on water treatment processes to remove algae and their toxins, see OHA's algae resources for drinking water website • Increase chlorine contact time-See Exhibit 6 for CT table for removal of microcystin using chlorine. • Ozone treatment-Table 5.4 on page 87 of this link (Treating Algal Toxins using Oxidation, Adsorption and Membrane Technologies, Water Research Foundation, 2010) shows the dose needed to achieve 80% removal of microcystin. Page 3 1.15.13