Alloway is Approved by the Ohio EPA for Total Microcystins Testing

The Ohio EPA plans to adopt final rules that will be effective June 1st, 2016 requiring all public water systems using surface water to monitor their source and finished water for microcystins. Microcystins are a type of cyanotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, more commonly referred to as blue-green algae or Harmful Algal Blooms. Cyanotoxins can cause illness and death in humans and animals.

The final rules being implemented by the Ohio EPA will require the following monitoring requirements for public water systems using surface water:

  1. Routine biweekly cyanobacteria screening.
  2. Routine weekly source and finished water monitoring for microcystins from May 1 to October 31.
  3. Routine biweekly source water monitoring for microcystins November 1 through April 30 (microcystins detections will trigger increased monitoring).
  4. Increased monitoring based on detections of microcystins above 5 µg/L in the raw water (three days a week) or detection of microcystins in finished water (daily monitoring).
  5. Increased monitoring if an action level is exceeded in finished water:
    1. Resample within 24 hours of receiving the results of the initial action level exceedance;
    2. Repeat within 24 hours of receiving the resample results;
    3. If a resample or repeat sample exceeds the action level, notify any consecutive (purchased) water systems and collect distribution samples.
  6. Opportunity for decreased screening and monitoring schedule, depending on results.

(Public Water System Harmful Algal Blooms – Overview of Upcoming Rules, March, 2016)

To assist you in meeting your monitoring requirements, Alloway is now approved through the Ohio EPA to analyze for total microcystins. Please email contactus@alloway.com for a quote today!

Click here for a copy of Alloway’s approval letter for total microcystin testing.

For more information about the new Harmful Algal Bloom Rule, visit the Ohio EPA website, or sign up for Alloway’s webinar event on May 24th, 2016. This webinar is titled, The Impact of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Water and Wastewater Industries, and features presenters Barbara Lubberger with the Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, and Andy Bachman with the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water. Participation in the webinar is free of charge, so register today!