Utility Field Guide for Developing a Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Monitoring Program

Webcast

Cyanobacterial blooms and associated cyanotoxin occurrences are increasing in frequency and magnitude. While some conventional drinking water processes can remove cyanobacterial cells during pretreatment and sedimentation, these processes are often ineffective for removing cyanotoxins. Utilities therefore need to implement either source control strategies or upgrade drinking water treatment plants or both.

To implement these solutions, utilities need to make data-driven decisions supported through effective monitoring. The Water Research Foundation’s  project 5120, Utility Field Guide for Developing a Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Monitoring Program sought to fill this gap by providing recommendations for best practices that utilities can use in the development of appropriate monitoring strategies tailored to their level of risk.

In this webcast, the research team will:  

  • Review the tools they developed to help utilities characterize cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin risk
  • Help utilities understand specific risk tolerances
  • Provide tips on developing an efficient and cost-effective monitoring plan
  • Learn how to interpret data to obtain actionable intelligence for proactive source water management and treatment plan operations.

The team will also debut their Utility Field Guide for Developing a Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Monitoring Program. 

Presenters:  

  • Erik Rosenfeldt, PhD, PE, Vice President and Drinking Water Practice Leader, Hazen and Sawyer
  • Susheera Pochiraju, PhD, Principal Engineer, Hazen and Sawyer
  • Husen Al-Muhtaram, PhD, Senior Research Associate, University of Toronto
  • Menna Alnahas, PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering, Drinking Water Research Group (DWRG) in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto 

Moderator: 

  • Sydney Samples, Research Manager, The Water Research Foundation