Expert Panel Summary Report
Mayor Keith James convened the panel to identify proactive and lasting solutions to cyanotoxins.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (March 14, 2022)- The Cyanotoxin Expert Panel, convened by Mayor Keith James following a May 2021 detection of cylindrospermopsin in the drinking water supply, has issued a summary of near-term recommendations and long-term options to reduce water quality risks associated with cyanotoxins.
The summary outlines a schedule of source-to-tap opportunities to significantly reduce risks from cyanotoxins, including ways to manage source water and drinking water treatment to achieve the best water quality possible for the city's approximately 130,000 customers in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach.
The City has already undertaken several recommendations, including:
- More robust water quality monitoring and testing to help make appropriate operational adjustments based on current conditions.
- Optimized water treatment steps-including powdered activated carbon and chlorination- to get the best performance from the water treatment plant.
- Prepared a Harmful Algae Response Plan that documents guidance for monitoring, treatment, and public notification based on water quality conditions.
Additional recommended future actions include:
- Maintain minimum lake levels to reduce risk of favorable conditions for algae growth,
- Continue ongoing collection and analysis of source water quality data to inform lake management practices that ensure the best water quality enters the water treatment plant.
- When feasible, greater quantities of groundwater to reduce potential algae concentrations in the source water blend.
- Continue proactive customer communications about water quality and treatment steps the City is taking to address potential cyanotoxin concerns.
- Prepare a master plan that evaluates the suitability of advanced treatment technologies to achieve the City's water quality goals and protect against potential future risks.
“We are so grateful to the Cyanotoxin Expert Panel for providing their expertise and guidance during this process, in conjunction with our Public Utilities Department,” said Mayor James. “Our water customers deserve the cleanest, safest water and we look forward to implementing the panel’s suggestions in our processes. The City of West Palm Beach has been a longtime leader in ensuring quality drinking water and we plan on continuing this trend for generations to come.”
The Expert Panel recommends the City continue with measures implemented for reducing cylindrospermopsin risk in water treatment and noted: "it does not appear the City is in immediate need to investing in advanced treatment to address water quality concerns associated with cylindrospermopsin."
The Cyanotoxin Expert Panel was comprised of the following drinking water quality and treatment experts well-versed in cyanotoxin challenges:
- Dr. Robert Cushing, PE, BCEE - nationally recognized with more than 30 years of water quality and water treatment experience.
- Dr. Erik Rosenfeldt, PE - more than 20 years of drinking water treatment experience, focusing on optimizing conventional treatment and implementing advanced treatment for addressing Contaminants of Emerging Concern.
- Dr. William Becker, PE, BCEE - more than 30 years of drinking water treatment experience, including pilot studies and treatment optimization.
- Dr. Chandra Mysore, PC, BCEE - more than 30 years of drinking water quality and treatment experience.
Click here to watch the meeting in its entirety.