Conference Call Summary

August 21, 2006

Participants

Joel Allen	US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati
Bill Franz	US EPA, Region 5, Water Division
Roger Lauder	Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Tim Ganz	American Water Company
Ryan Schuler	American Water Company
Dave Kull	Iowa-American Water Company
Andrew Gavin	Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Bob Holmes	USGS, Illinois Water Science Center
Mark Mitchell	Illinois Rural Water Association
Dave Hokanson	UMRBA
Derek Martin	UMRBA

Note: The primary purpose of this call was to consider the opportunities for a biomonitoring component of the early warning monitoring network (EWMN). In particular, the group was seeking to address the following questions: Is the biomonitoring approach a good fit for what we see as the goals of the EWMN? What additional benefit would it bring and what would be the tradeoff in complexity and expenses? and What could group members contribute to a biomonitoring system or, what would the group need to have provided by an outside party?

Biomonitoring Discussion

Hokanson began by posing the question to the group: Where does the Scoping Group want to go with the biomonitoring option? He proposed three possible options of response: 1) yes, 2) no, or 3) further consideration needed.

Hokanson went on to say that if the answer is “yes”, there are different tiers of involvement possible, such as:

Tier 1 – Agree to receive monitoring equipment in the near future (likely for one site) and the group would need to provide support personnel, maintenance, telemetry etc.

Tier 2 – Apply a broader scope and participate in a RARE grant proposal, which could fund a greater number of sites and a broader approach (but wouldn’t necessarily resolve personnel questions).

Hokanson emphasized that, if the biomonitoring approach was pursued, the group would have to be prepared to find a way to provide personnel to maintain the installations, and that this would also be true for any expanded network, regardless of the specific equipment used.

Tim Ganz stated that American Water is not currently interested in expanding their level of involvement with the project.

Joel Allen then described the maintenance requirements of the bivalve system. He stated that once the system is installed very little maintenance involved, commenting that the bivalves have a life span of 6-12 months, and can go up to 12 months without requiring replacement or other additional caretaking. He noted that the biggest potential for maintenance work is related to the pumping system that brings water from the river up to the bivalve system. Allen added that while maintenance for the multiparameter probe (placed in conjunction with the bivalve unit) is also an issue, that EPA could pay for the needed parts, as the unit would be considered a “collaborative piece of research”, though he clarified that EPA would not necessarily be available for on site work.

Ganz then asked Allen whether there had been any previous deployment of such as system on the Mississippi River and whether any adjustment in organism would have to be made to accommodate for baseline water quality. Allen responded a local organism that was acclimated to Mississippi River water would be used.

Allen added that data telemetry would be included in the package. Bivalve data would be telemetered to Cincinnati along with the multiprobe data. At this point Hokanson asked who would pick up this project in the long-term, in regard to data storage and telemetry. Allen noted that cell telemetry works great for them. Bob Holmes indicated that telephone telemetry had been successful in other applications. Hokanson also noted that USACE is already providing telemetry and data support for the project and may be best to keep them in this role. Roger Lauder suggested that the group hear from Jerry Schulte of ORSANCO regarding their system. Lauder also noted the potential homeland security tie-in for such a system.

Note: At this point, Allen left the call in order for the group to discuss next steps concerning biomonitoring possibilities.

Hokanson then asked the group how they would like to proceed. Ganz stated that it would be important to determine exactly what American Water’s role and commitment would be if this option were to be pursued. Bill Franz advocated placing a monitoring station, in order to better assess what the operational needs. He further noted that the RARE proposal he has been working on is due in 3 weeks.

Hokanson, Franz, Ganz and Lauder agreed to continue discussions of this option, and will communicate with Joel Allen regarding the group’s intent.

Follow Up Notes: In subsequent conversation with Franz, Hokanson confirmed that the UMR EWMN Scoping Group had been included as a collaborator in the RARE proposal, which leaves open the opportunity for further involvement. Also, Hokanson has initiated contact with the Minnesota Department of Health, as well as Minneapolis and St. Paul utilities regarding the potential for placing a pilot biomonitoring station in the Twin Cities.