Killing cyanobacteria an important water quality issue at Reno conference

Killing Cyanobacteria to preserve water quality will be discussed at upcoming meeting of California and Nevada water management professionals.

RENO – Killing cyanobacteria to preserve water quality in lakes and reservoirs will be a topic of discussion at an upcoming meeting of water management professionals in Reno. The California-Nevada section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) will hold its annual fall conference next month following a historic, five-year drought. Not coincidentally, incidents of toxic cyanobacteria blooms spiked in both states during the drought.

Cyanobacteria flourish in the high-heat, low-water conditions caused by drought. According to data obtained from the California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP), California suffered record-breaking cyanobacteria blooms between 2014 and 2016. Since January of this year, 36 advisory signs have been posted at sites around the state, warning residents and visitors of harmful blooms. Nevada’s Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are also at risk. Killing cyanobacteria at such sites remains a priority even as drought conditions have lifted.

“Drought is just one of many factors that combine to increase cyanobacteria blooms,” said Fred Singleton, Senior Scientist at Earth Science Laboratories. “Fortunately, advances in chemistry allow us to treat such blooms very effectively. Ionic copper is particularly lethal to cyanobacteria without harming beneficial microbes or producing disinfection by-products.”

Earth Science Laboratories will send a team to the upcoming conference in Reno to discuss copper-based products such as EarthTec® and EarthTec® QZ. EarthTec kills cyanobacteria and reduces the chemicals that produce undesirable taste and odor in drinking water. EarthTec QZ controls quagga mussels. The ESL team will also be available to discuss the newly launched Cyanobacteria Rapid Response Program.

More information on the CA-NV Fall Conference can be found at
http://ca-nv-awwa.org/canv/CNS/Events_Classes/Annual_Fall_Conference/CNS/Events/conf/afc17/AFC17hm.aspx.

Earth Science Laboratories Inc. manufactures advanced water treatment products. EarthTec and EarthTec QZ are EPA registered and NSF Certified to ANSI Standard 60 for use in drinking water. Both products are approved for use in open waters and pipelines. Information about EarthTec and the Cyanobacteria Response Program is available at earthtecwatertreatment.com. Visit earthtecqz.com. Information about EarthTec QZ is available at earthtecqz.com.