Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
Guidance Document Change: The Guidance for Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisory Management requires revision for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response season, beginning in April 2025. The proposed revision includes the DEQ and VDH staff recommendations, which allow for more extensive and targeted monitoring of algal toxins in recreational freshwater areas during a HAB, and for using toxin data alone for recreational advisory determinations. These recommendations are based on a review of current processes for HAB monitoring and managing recreational HAB advisories, final recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on protecting human health risks from incidental ingestion while recreating in freshwaters, data collected from Virginia HAB investigations with paired cell counts and toxin assays, and budget and staff efficiencies. This approach is supported by both VDH and DEQ agency secretaries.
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5/21/25  4:54 pm
Commenter: Merv Leavitt

My comments pertain to ENV(WB)-2025-1,Guidance for Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisory Mgt
 

I am against the proposed change in guidance for issuing Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisories. The basis for the change relies on EPA 815-R-15-010, "Recommendations for Public Water Systems to Manage Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water June 2015", which has little to do with Recreational Water Quality. Drinking water quality is measured continuously while recreational water quality is measured at best once a month. The proposed change will delay the issuances of swimming advisories significantly, thereby putting the public at unnecessary increased risk.

CommentID: 236158