Cyanotoxin Expert Panel
Mayor Keith A. James convened a panel of industry-leading water quality experts to identify solutions following a May 2021 response to cylindrospermopsin (a cyanotoxin produced by blue-green algae).
The expert panel is using all available city data and the best available science to recommend proactive and lasting solutions to cyanotoxin concerns so that our drinking water continues to be clean and safe.
Actions We Have Already Taken
We took immediate action to isolate and treat the harmful algal bloom in the source water and to remove and destroy cyanotoxins at the water treatment plant. We continue a robust water quality monitoring program and recently purchased a cyanotoxin screening tool that will help provide timely information on water treatment plant performance.
Image left: We are using powder activated carbon and a modified chloramine process to eliminate cyanotoxins if they enter the water treatment plant.
Expert Panel Work Timeline
The expert panel will focus on near-term actions over the initial 60-day series of technical work sessions. The panelists will then take a deeper dive over the following 8 to 10 months to look at long-term solutions. Along the way, the panel’s work will be shared with the public and stakeholders.
Meet the Experts
 |
Dr. Robert Cushing, PE, BCEE, is a nationally recognized expert with more than 30 years of water quality and water treatment experience. As a senior vice president with Carollo Engineers, Dr. Cushing has worked with large water utilities on numerous successful treatment facility planning and design projects, as well as studies and programs to improve distribution system water |
 |
Dr. William Becker, PE, BCEE,has more than 30 years of drinking water treatment experience, including pilot studies and treatment optimization. He directs Hazen and Sawyer’s drinking water practice, working with some of the largest utilities in the country to solve water quality and treatment challenges. Dr. Becker teaches courses on water treatment at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is affiliated with the Columbia Water Center at Columbia University. He has authored hundreds of technical presentations and publications. |
 |
Dr. Chandra Mysore, PE, BCEE,has more than 30 years of drinking water quality and treatment experience. He is a Vice President and Regional Drinking Water lead with Jacobs Engineering, partnering with utilities to design water treatment systems and evaluate feasibility of emerging treatment technologies. Dr. Mysore has provided technical direction and senior review of projects around the globe that address cyanotoxins and other source water quality concerns. He has authored more than a hundred technical publications and is an active committee member with American Water Works Association and Water Research Foundation. He is also the Chair of the AWWA Membrane Process and Research Committee.
|
What is the City of West Palm Beach doing to keep drinking water safe?
The health and safety of our community is our top priority. Our state-of-the-art treatment process and robust water quality monitoring program provide multiple layers of protection from source to tap to make sure our drinking water continues to be clean and safe.
Where do we get our water?
The Grassy Waters Preserve is a 23 square mile wetland ecosystem and our main source drinking water. Grassy Water Preserve feeds and sustains Lake Mangonia and Clear Lake which directly provide water to the water treatment plant.
When you turn on the tap, you're getting water from this Preserve that has been filtered and treated at our state-of-the-art water treatment plant.
How is our water treated?
Our water treatment plant uses conventional filtration, lime softening, and then ultraviolet and chloramine disinfection to provide clean, safe drinking water to more than 120,000 customers in the City of West Palm Beach, Town of Palm Beach, and Town of South Palm Beach.
What steps are being taken to manage potential cyanotoxin events?
We are continuing our rigorous water quality monitoring program and recently purchased a cyanotoxin screening tool that will help provide timely information on water treatment plant performance. If cyanotoxins are detected above health safety advisory levels, we are ready to take immediate action to remove and destroy cyanotoxins at the water treatment plant.
What are cyanotoxins?
Cyanotoxins can be produced by blue-green algae when certain conditions exist, such as in warm water containing an abundance of nutrients. If not removed during drinking water treatment, exposure to cyanotoxins above certain health safety advisory levels may be harmful.
Additional Resources: Environmental Protection Agency HAB(PDF, 1MB)
Where can I learn more about drinking water quality?
Please read additional information on how we treat our drinking water as well as view the city's water quality reports here: Protecting Water Quality - Source to Tap to learn more.