Cyanobacteria on Cape Cod: What it is, how it affects us, and what’s being done to protect public health.
Lately, thereâs been quite a bit of discussion about cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae or Harmful Algae Blooms) in Cape Codâs ponds, leading some to wonder whether itâs safe for people and/or their pets to swim. The term âpollutionâ has popped up on social media forums as well as in local news media, generating the impression that the regionâs water bodies are tainted and therefore unsafe for humans and animals. This perception is not entirely unfounded, nor is it 100% accurate. ItâsâŚcomplicated.
Local public health officials recognize that cyanobacteria is an area of concern for residents and visitors alike, and have been meeting regularly to determine a proactive multi-agency approach for dealing with this complex issue, which requires attention from both a public health and environmental standpoint.
Understanding the Problem
Cyanobacteria is not pollution, per se. Itâs a natural phenomenon that can occur in healthy ecosystems. Typically however, its potential for overgrowth is kept in check by a balance of several different factors, one of which is nutrient availability. All animals and plants require nutrients to grow and thrive, but if an external force makes nutrients either scarce or overabundantâthe balance is disrupted and things can start to go wrong. Here on Cape Cod, human activitiesâfrom fertilization to faulty septic systemsâhave introduced an overabundance of nutrients into the environment, which leads to an ecologically unhealthy condition called eutrophication (the process by which a water body becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients such as phosphates and nitrogen). The greater the nutrient availability, the more fuel for cyanobacteria (and other undesirable plant life) to grow and thrive. Global warming also plays a key role with warmer pond temperatures favoring cyanobacteria.
Terminology is Key
When discussing cyanobacteria, we often hear the term used interchangeably with harmful algae blooms (HABs) and toxic algae. There is, however, an important distinction to make: not all cyanobacteria is toxin producing. So while an overgrowth of cyanobacteria may have some aesthetic impact on a particular water body or even environmental implications, it may not be harmful to people and their pets. That said, a visual assessment alone is not enough to make a determination between toxic and non-toxic, so further analysis is required. And if you donât know either way, itâs always best to conclude the following: WHEN IN DOUBT, STAY OUT.
From the 2022 MA DPH Guidance for Cyanobacteria in Recreational Waters: âCyanobacteria and their associated cyanotoxins pose a risk to human and animal health. Cyanotoxins are of primary concern due to the potential for causing serious health effects. Because there are over 100 types of cyanotoxins, testing for them all is not possible or practical. Therefore, the health protective approach is to assume that cyanotoxins are present in any algae bloom.â
Understanding the Players
There are two disciplines interested in developing a strategy for dealing with cyanobacteria blooms in our region. Public health officials and environmental groups. There is an economical factor as well; algae-filled water bodies are not ideal for homeowners, home buyers and visitors who seek enjoyment of the regionâs natural resources. Because Barnstable County is a public health entity that supports the local boards of health in every one of Cape Codâs 15 towns, our focus is the primary directive of public health: to promote and protect the health of our communities. At the same time, we are working alongside our colleagues in the environmental field to support their mission to protect our sensitive ecosystem, the health of which is closely tied to the well-being of our local economy.
Itâs important to understand that remediationâthe act of reducing or solving environmental damageâdiffers distinctly from preventionâthe act of stopping something from happening. Public health fficials are interested in preventing injury or harm from known health hazards, while environmental officials are interested in remediating or reducing impact to our sensitive ecosystem. While the two approaches can be different, both have equal stake in bringing awareness to the public.
A Collaborative Approach
Barnstable County has partnered with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), a local non-profit environmental organization, to proactively monitor Cape Codâs ponds for cyanobacteria and, more specifically, the toxins they sometimes produce. APCC will collect pond water samples and use a predictive methodology called CyanoCasting. While this method provides useful information regarding cyanobacteria presence and abundance, it does not provide data regarding the existence or quantity of harmful toxins.
If APCCâs team, through the use of the above-described CyanoCasting method, determines that additional confirmatory toxin testing is warranted, the Barnstable County Water Quality Lab will then perform toxin analysis via Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Approved Method 546 for Surface Water Sampling. If toxins are found to be present in an amount considered to be harmful to humans and pets, an advisory will be issued by the local board of health to make the public aware that swimming could pose a risk of illness. For more specifics regarding the particulars of the monitoring program, please visit APCCâs cyanobacteria monitoring web page.
The Law (or Lack Thereof)
It is important to note that currently, no regulatory framework exists for the collection and analysis of cyanobacteria. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides guidelines and recommendations, both of which APCC and the Barnstable County Water Quality lab adhere to, but there is no regulation or law that mandates these monitoring efforts. This is unlike Barnstable Countyâs existing Bathing Beach Monitoring Program, which was established in 2002 to help Cape Codâs communities comply with Massachusetts Bathing Beach Regulations 105 CMR 445.00, that require the weekly monitoring of fecal bacteria levels in marine and fresh recreational waters. Any cyanobacteria monitoring strategies including site selection, sampling frequency, etc., that are conducted in accordance with the collaborative agreement between APCC and Barnstable County, are solely at the discretion of the two organizations and contributing local boards of health.
Look Out for our Signs!
Our beach monitoring signs will be posted at over 350 swimming beaches across Cape Codâs 15 towns. We monitor public (town beaches) and semi-public (association) beaches for fecal bacteria. We do not monitor private beaches. The sign includes information about the beach operator and a phone number to contact if you have questions or concerns. If our testing shows levels of fecal bacteria levels higher than the acceptable limit, the middle portion of the sign that reads âfecal bacteria levels found to be within acceptable limitsâ will be covered with a decal that reads âNO SWIMMING! Swimming may cause illnessâ. The decal will be removed when re-testing shows that are bacteria levels are within acceptable levels. While the signs do not directly address cyanobacteria, a QR code at the bottom of the sign takes the user to our website for further information, including links to APCC’s cyanobacteria monitoring page.
Worried about a potential cyanobacteria bloom? Send us an email at bch.info@capecod.gov!
This article was taken from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment’s Community Health Health Newsletter, Spring 2023 Edition.
