남조류 독소에 대한 공공 식수공급을 모니터링 할 수 있는 새로운 프로그램의 일환으로, 버몬트(Vermont) 지역의 식수 시스템을 통해 챔플레인호(Lake Champlain)의 수질과 오염물질의 표본을 추출하기 시작했다.

일부 남조류는 인간과 동물에게 해로운 독소를 생산하는데, 이 테스트는 식수 내의 조류독소가 존재 여부를 알아볼 수 있는 방법이다. 프로그램은 12주 과정으로 남조류 발생에 대한 모니터링을 통해 식수 내의 잠재적 독소로부터 국민을 보호하기 위한 국가의 노력을 강화한다.

As part of a new program to monitor public drinking water supplies for blue-green algae toxins, 22 of Vermont's drinking water systems from Lake Champlain began sampling the water this week for contaminants.

Some blue-green algae blooms produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Testing is the only way to know if an algae toxin is present in drinking water. This new 12-week monitoring program will bolster the state's current efforts to visually monitor for blue-green algae blooms and protect the public from potential toxins in drinking water.

Lake Champlain is the drinking water source for about 150,000 Vermonters. Since the Environmental Protection Agency does not require testing for blue-green algae toxins, participation in collecting samples is voluntary.

Thirty public drinking water system operators were trained this spring on visual bloom identification and toxin detection response. Water system operators are submitting samples to the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory for toxin analyses.

Brian Bishop, chief operator for the Swanton Village Treatment Facility, explained that algae toxin detection in a finished drinking water sample would be rare. Further, Jim Fay, general manager of the Champlain Water District -- Vermont's largest system -- added that historical test results for blue-green algae toxins have shown no results above the minimum detectable levels.

Each year, the Vermont Department of Health, working in partnership with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Lake Champlain Committee, monitor 140 recreational locations around the state. Shoreline monitoring this year began on June 15.

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 7월 8일]