Precious Water: The public health response to toxic HAB in an Urban Water Supply-The NW Ohio Story

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are becoming more prevalent in our environment and there is a critical need to reduce conditions that cause these blooms.  The reductions of these conditions will take time, funding and commitment from citizens as well as elected officials.  However, until these conditions are reduced our environment as well has many drinking water sources will be impacted.  This very real impact happened on 08/02/14 when a ½ million populations in Northwest Ohio could not consume treated drinking water, from the Western Basin of Lake Erie, due to HAB toxins in the drinking water supply. The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department story from the time the order not consume water from the treatment plant to the final clearance for the return to consumption of the drinking water is complex and steeped with public health implications and lessons.   These public health implications and lessons range from how public health was involved in the initial call for a halt to consumption of the affected water, activation and role in the EOC, public health’s decisions on health related issues such as dialysis, restaurant operations and the effect of the toxin on humans.  Other points that were complex and demanded resources was the distribution of drinking water from government, private and military sources.  Further, the role of public health in press releases and media interviews was extremely important to convey messages and calm fears.  The after action also holds complexities for public health in what was properly handled and what should be adjusted if an event of similar nature would happen again.  The presenter will share these complex issues and provide insight related to the disaster event and lessons learned from the 72-hour response.