Presentation 1: How Cyanobacteria Work: Converting Sunlight Into Usable Energy. Cyanobacteria are widely known for their toxin producing and bloom-forming capabilities. Although cyanobacterial blooms can be a threat to public and ecosystem health, they are also globally important producers of oxygen. This presentation will give a detailed introduction of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. It will also explore how the photosynthetic processes differ between cyanobacteria and plants and will provide some explanation as to why cyanobacteria seem to thrive in conditions that would hinder the growth of green algae. (Presentation Anna Boegehold, EPA's Office of Research and Development)
Presentation 2: Cyanotoxins in Oregon: Transitioning to Mandatory Monitoring for Susceptible Sources. In 2018, when a large system detected cyanotoxins above the EPA health advisory level in treated water, Oregon moved from a voluntary cyanotoxin sampling program to mandatory monitoring. This presentation will cover how Oregon transitioned from the voluntary program to mandatory monitoring for cyanotoxins at susceptible sources and will discuss what the regulations require and statewide results, issues encountered, and what resources have been created to assist public water systems. Attendees will learn about the risk of cyanotoxins and what system operators can do to minimize this risk. (Presentation by Kari Salis, Oregon Health Authority)