2023 Harmful Algal Bloom Program

The 2023 Harmful Algal Bloom Program comprises two parts: Routine Monitoring and Event Response. Routine Monitoring is conducted at public-water-supply intakes; lake beaches; and Lake Michigan nearshore areas. Event Response investigates potential cyanobacteria blooms in lakes or streams where blooms may threaten public health. Toxin samples are sent to the Illinois EPA Division of Laboratories for analysis. In some situations, additional samples for cyanobacteria taxonomy and enumeration may be collected and sent to a private contractor.

Routine Monitoring occurs on the following waterbodies:

1. Public-Water-Supply Intakes - Streams 
   Illinois EPA intends to collect four microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxin samples, between May and October, at fifteen sites near public water supply intakes in the following streams:
   Salt Fork Vermilion River
   Little Wabash River
   Skillet Fork
   Illinois River
   Fox River
   Kankakee River
   Mississippi River
   Shoal Creek
   
2. Public-Water-Supply Intakes - Lakes 
   Illinois EPA staff collect one microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxin sample per month in June, July, August/September, and October near public-water-supply intakes (Table 1).
   
3. Public-Water-Supply Intakes in Lake Michigan
   Illinois EPA intends to collect microcystin, cylandrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxin samples at four Lake Michigan intakes during April and November. 
   
4. Nearshore Areas in Lake Michigan
   Illinois EPA intends to collect microcystin and cylandrospermopsin samples from harbors and Nearshore sites between May and November.
   
5. Lake Beaches
   Illinois EPA intends to collect one microcystin and cylindrospermopsin sample per month in June, July/August, and October at beaches in two central-Illinois lakes and four southern-Illinois lakes (Table 1).
   
6. Beaches - Lake County Health Department
   Between May and September, the Lake County Health Department intends to collect a sample approximately every two weeks at thirteen lake beaches and one stream (Table 1). 
   
   

Table 1. Routine Monitoring at Illinois Lakes

Event Response investigates credible reports of a potential cyanobacteria bloom. Credible report means direct observation by Illinois EPA staff or observations and pictures submitted by the public to Illinois EPA via our Bloom Report Form.

1. Direct Observation
   Illinois EPA field staff may collect a sample for microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxin when they observe a potential cyanobacteria bloom in a waterbody. 
   
2. Response via Bloom Report Form
   Illinois EPA may investigate reported potential cyanobacteria blooms.  Response is dependent on availability of resources. Publicly owned lakes are prioritized.

Illinois EPA may apply a preliminary test to screen samples for the toxin, microcystin, but may include other toxins. When a toxin exceeds guidelines for recreation or drinking water, Illinois EPA notifies appropriate lake-management entities. Illinois EPA may perform follow-up monitoring based on availability of resources.

In October 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a grant ($270,626) to Illinois EPA to improve the Illinois EPA Harmful Algal Bloom Program. Over the next three years Illinois EPA intends to expand public education and awareness of cyanobacteria blooms, improve our ability to respond to blooms, and provide more timely access to available data to help protect human health. Some specific activities include, but are not limited to:

1. Virtual Workshops on Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms
   Illinois EPA hosted six virtual workshops over the course of three years.  These workshops help train and educate Illinois EPA staff, other professionals, and the public how to identify a potential cyanobacteria bloom, how to collect toxin samples, how to pack and ship samples to the laboratory for analysis, and how to pack and ship samples to PhycoTech, Inc. for identification and enumeration.
2. Update the Illinois EPA Webpage
   Periodically, Illinois EPA will update the program webpage to improve content and accessibility of data and information.
3. Create a Harmful Algal Bloom Dashboard
   Illinois EPA has created an online Harmful Algal Bloom Dashboard. This dashboard displays information submitted through the public Illinois Bloom Report Form and has a map of blooms throughout the state.
4. Update Standard Operating Procedures for Collecting Toxin Samples
   Illinois EPA has updated the standard operating procedure for collecting cyanobacteria toxins in lakes and streams.
5. Create Manual for Responding to Cyanobacteria Blooms
   Illinois EPA is developing a manual to prepare for a large-scale cyanobacteria bloom. This document includes but is not limited to: a discussion of toxin-level thresholds of concern, a contact list of relevant personnel, toxin-collection guidelines, and examples of news releases and other appropriate ways to alert the public (e.g., posted warnings at sites).