Health Advisory Panel

The primary current focus of the Panel will be coordination around waterborne pathogens (WBPs),Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), and the safe consumption of aquatic life harvested from our water bodies. However, we expect that other issues may arise in the future which would be appropriate for the Panel to address.

Combining these groups into a single advisory panel will be more efficient by eliminating overlap among members of the workgroup. Also, it will help ensure that solutions to these interrelated problems are more consistent. Meetings will typically be held once in the spring and once in the fall, though the group may need to meet more frequently at the outset.

Goals and Objectives

All water quality problems are multifaceted and this is particularly true for those with the potential to affect human health. The Health Advisory Panel will have two primary goals. First, the panel will facilitate interagency coordination and communication. Second, the panel is to ensure that the monitoring, assessment, and response to water quality problems related to health effects are based on sound science. Hence the panel membership will be comprised of individuals with a breadth of expertise and experience. While the primary focus of the panel is human health, the panel will consider effects of these contaminants on all beneficial uses including aquatic life and agriculture.

The objectives of the panel include several generic objectives as well as issue specific objectives.

Develop or refine, as necessary, water quality indicators, monitoring strategies, and assessment methods related to water quality issues that have human health implications. Work with DWQ’s Water Quality Standards workgroup on numeric standards, as appropriate.
Develop consistent statewide policies outlining actions to be taken if/when indicators suggest threats to recreation and drinking water uses as well as threats to wildlife, livestock, and pets.
Further develop the fish consumption advisory methodology, specifically how to manage annual variability of mercury concentrations at a waterbody and when to remove an advisory if the data indicate there is no longer a public health risk.
Communicate a unified message regarding public health risks associated with specific events based on a comprehensive review of the data and relevant literature.
Develop and refine field and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sample Analysis Plans (SAPs) and related data management and analytical methods.
- Review and communicate technical information about waterborne pathogens, contaminants in consumable aquatic life, and Harmful Algal Blooms monitoring results.
- Develop prioritization criteria for future sampling of water bodies across the state for health-related concerns.
- Disperse training information to local partners and provide regional training (e.g. IDEXX).
Review public information materials, including fact sheets, pamphlets, advisory notices, and website content to inform the public about health advisories and closures of recreational waters.
Identify and prioritize research to better understand risks to human health, livestock, and wildlife, or to solve water quality problems that are currently known.

Membership

Members of the Health Advisory Panel were selected through a nomination process. We envision the WQHAP members to work for 3 years and we will revisit whether the make-up of membership slots is appropriate and provide opportunities for new participants to replace members. These contacts are organized by Stakeholder Group or Organization and then individual member.