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2014 Statewide HAB Program

In May 2013, an Illinois Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program was initiated. The program will continue into 2014 with some slight modifications. The HAB Monitoring Program consists of two primary components: an "Event Response" component, and a "Routine Monitoring" component. The primary goal of the overall program is to protect public health and safety for drinking water and recreational uses. Two primary objectives exist, including (1) the collection, analysis, and reporting of microcystin concentrations to local water-management authorities for their potential use to issue public-health advice for recreational or drinking-water uses, and (2) the investigation of predictive relationships between microcystin, nutrient, and chlorophyll-a concentrations in selected eutrophic or hypereutrophic (nutrient-rich) lakes or streams.

The Event Response Component

The Event Response component includes an investigation (as resources allow) of credible reports of a HAB event by Illinois EPA professional field staff, Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program statewide or regional coordinators, or other Illinois EPA-approved designated party. A credible report of a HAB event includes written and pictorial information contained within a properly submitted Bloom Report Form. Anyone can complete and submit to the Agency a Bloom Report Form for review by Illinois EPA professional staff.

If Illinois EPA professional staff deem appropriate, a HAB responder will be sent to the site of the HAB event to collect water samples for microcystin analysis. Water samples collected will be analyzed within 24-36 hours of collection using microcystin test kits that provide qualitative results in one of four concentration ranges (<1.0, >1.0 and <10, >10 and <20, or >20 µg/L). A quantitative analysis may also be performed using the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method that will provide a precise numeric result. The reporter of the HAB event and the local lake management entity will be informed immediately should microcystin concentration results approach or exceed 20 µg/L. If the lake or stream exhibiting a HAB also serves as a source of drinking water, appropriate staff in the Division of Public Water Supplies will also be notified. Follow-up monitoring by the Illinois EPA may occur as professional judgment dictates and staff, laboratory, and financial resources allow.

The Routine HAB Monitoring Component consists of two major activities:

  1. Illinois EPA Ambient Lake Monitoring Program (ALMP) Routine HAB Monitoring

    ALMP Routine HAB Monitoring sampling will be conducted by Illinois EPA regional field biologists located in Des Plaines, Springfield, and Marion Illinois. Microcystin samples will be collected routinely at lakes included in the 2014 ALMP sampling rotation. Samples will be collected once a month June through October (excluding September) for a total of four times, at beach, dock, boat launch, and intake monitoring locations. Sampling locations will be identified based on the biologist's best professional judgment. Samples will be sent for quantitative analysis by the ELISA method.

  2. Lake County Health Department Inland Lake Beach Routine HAB Monitoring

    Lake County Health Department staff will collect microcystin samples routinely at approximately 30 Lake County inland lake beaches. Beaches will be selected based on public accessibility, usage, and history of bloom occurrences. Samples will be collected routinely during the period of Memorial Day through Labor Day on a bi-weekly schedule. Samples will be sent for quantitative analysis by ELISA method.