The goal of the practice was to increase awareness and outreach among the public and key partners about harmful algal blooms and recreating safely in our community to reduce illness and injury associated with recreating in our local waterways. Project Objectives:
- Establish routine means of communication to deliver timely water quality information to community and stakeholders.
- Identify and provide outreach materials specifically for pet owners to protect dogs who make-up most deaths attributed to HAB exposure.
- Integrate messaging and opportunities on how to improve water quality of lakes and rivers with advisory communication encouraging safe recreation.
The first phase of this effort began during our 2019 swim beach monitoring season when we reached-out to known lake user groups based on prior monitoring and communication with concerned citizens. We worked to establish routine means of communication to deliver timely water quality information via an email newsletter when advisories were issued or removed. The types of stakeholders that we engaged to receive the email newsletter were known lake user groups of waterbodies prone to harmful algal blooms. Known stakeholders contacted to establish regular communication included lakeshore HOAs, rowing/sailing clubs, kayak/SUP rental companies, and vet clinics. Additional agencies contacted were local park officials/lake managers that assist with advisory postings and other government/agency officals. For example, Fish & Wildlife, Poison Control, and state department of health were subscribed to the newsletter as they benefit from situational awareness of water quality advisories.
Initial attempt to contact known stakeholders based on previous HAB monitoring activities and cold calling resulted in 46 contacts subscribing to direct email advisory updates, 30 of which were vet clinics representing approximately 40 clinics in our area. Vet clinics were contacted as they were identified as a key stakeholder that could help increase reporting of suspected HAB illness and share materials to help prevent exposure in dogs and animals that are most vulnerable to illness/death from contact with HABs.
Starting in June 2020, we sent our first advisory update to our initial subscribers for a HAB advisory issued at a local lake. At the beginning, email newsletters were only sent when a press release was issued which occurred when an advisory was issued or removed. Contents of newsletter was copied from press release with links to the Public Health webpage where all current advisories were listed. If an advisory wasn't being upgraded or downgraded, no press release was issued, and no newsletter was sent. Additionally, email distribution lists were divided into user groups of the different lakes that were monitored. If a user group was located at a certain lake that did not have an advisory, they would not be alerted to an advisory at another lake in the county. Some groups were on multiple lists such as veterinarians and agency officials, this meant they could receive duplicative emails if there were multiple lakes with advisories at one time.
To gauge satisfaction with the newsletter, vet contacts that agreed to receive the newsletters, consented to a phone interview to discuss incidence of suspected HAB-related illness and materials vets would find most useful. Major insights included desire to receive regular updates on a routine schedule, instead of just advisory notifications. Also, several clinics expressed desire for a brochure to distribute to new pet owners with other materials commonly called new puppy packets”. Separate comments received from lake user groups during regular email communication also expressed desire to receive more frequent updates, links where they could find test results and further information regarding monitoring done.
At the same time, we were conducting these interviews and receiving feedback on the first few issues of the newsletter, it was the worst year on record in Clark County for weeks of advisories due to elevated toxins detected across multiple lakes that had reported HABs. Monitoring of algal blooms is done in response to reports by partners but mostly, the public when out recreating. That same year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in park use according to local parks department officials. The exact cause for the increased detection of algal blooms cannot be explained however, the effects resulted in amplified interest across agencies and the public to understand and prevent algal blooms at their favorite lakes. Additionally, the need to provide readily accessible and equitable notifications of water quality concerns to protect lake users was identified as a high priority to protect the public.
During the winter of 2020, project activities focused on improving website content to display a data dashboard and more information on HABs. Website content was adapted from readily available infographics from EPA HAB communication resources and information on the Seattle-King County Public Health website regarding causes and sources of HABs. Website content added was sent to local partners that supported clean water including local public works agencies that conduct stormwater monitoring and improvement projects, SW Washington Stormwater Partners that provide education and outreach, and Public Health Solid Waste Education & Outreach that manage Clark County Green Business and Green Neighbors that provides resources on how the community can protect their environment through everyday behaviors. Partners were asked to review content to find areas where their program information could be incorporated when discussing ways to protect our local lakes and their general input on what could be improved. Comments were captured via email and incorporated prior to going live to the public before the start of our 2021 monitoring season.
Partners were also asked to identify program topics or events that could be promoted in the email newsletter, each agency/program was met with either via phone or virtual meeting to discuss the intent and scope of the newsletter and what activities from their programs could be promoted. Partners that contributed content to the newsletter included SW Washington Stormwater Partners, Clark County Clean Water, Clark County Green Neighbors, Clark County Green Business, Clark County Communicable Disease, Washington State University Extension, and other municipal Public Works agencies. Partners shared resources, program activities, and events to cross-reference and promote healthy recreation and improved stormwater to keep our lakes and rivers clean.
While focusing on broadening the audience and scope of the email newsletters, barriers that exist limiting access to internet, email, and the ability to check water quality information before you get to the water needed to be considered to protect most vulnerable populations. Lake side messaging regarding HABs and the risk when recreating was previously only posted at waterbodies that had a confirmed harmful algal bloom CCPH was monitoring, and advisory signs posted were only available in English. Additionally, the lag time between our department receiving the report from a concerned lake user, investigating, sampling, coordination with parks officials to post signs, and issuing a press release led to delays in getting the information visible at the waterbody and available to the public. Year-round educational signs were proposed for lakes that were prone to HAB events. Additional languages were identified as a concern that needed to be incorporated based on community and park agency input, most spoken language besides English is Spanish and Russian, were added to sign along with large icons depicting lake use recommendations to promote understanding across all languages.
By June 2021, the new translated educational signs were posted at waterbodies across the county that were prone to toxic algal blooms, the website had been updated to incorporate resources on what the community could do to promote clean water, and the first issue of the improved In the Splash” email newsletter was being sent every Friday morning. Over 14 weekly issues, subscriber count increased from 56 to 188 with 65% (123) subscribing through a sign-up link shared on Facebook, Twitter, and on our website. Towards the end of the 2021 monitoring season, subscribers were asked to complete an online survey to provide feedback on their satisfaction with the newsletter and future topics they would like to see.
Based on vet clinic input from the previous year, a trifold brochure was created in 2021 that contained information veterinarians interviewed specifically requested such as signs and symptoms of HAB exposure in animals, how to report suspected pet illness/death to Public Health, and the importance to seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect exposure. Brochures will be distributed primarily by vet clinics with other resources provided by the CDC. However, other partners supporting a One Health approach including clean water program partners during their outreach events, municipal animal control offices, and park agencies will also be distributing the brochure. The goal to reach 17% of Clark County households with pet dogs the first year.
Majority of practice activities were completed over a period of three summers (2019,2020, and 2021) by three separate undergraduate interns a part of National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) as our program activities are seasonal during the height of outdoor and water recreation during the summer. Internship time and funding was provided through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) with intern work focusing in understanding need, collaborating, and developing this campaign. Program and managerial support for this program are provided through the Water Recreation Safety program within Clark County's Environmental Public Health department. This program is 100% cost recovery through environmental health fees obtained through permitted water recreation facility permit and plan review processes. Some county general funds are used in support of swim beach monitoring totaling ~$6k. Staff time to support intern in summer and continue program activities during winter months was calculated to take 4- 20 hours of their time every week, variation was most dependent upon whether there was water quality advisory necessitating additional time spent coordinating advisory notification with partners. Onetime costs included cost to print 4,000 8.5”x11” brochures on cardstock for approximately $200.00 and translated HAB advisory signs were a one-time cost of approximately $6,200 to order 40 of each of the different signs, 120 total. Other ongoing costs specific to this practice include subscription to an online email newsletter platform that cost $20.00 per month. Algal toxin laboratory testing that informs advisories is funded through the Washington State Department of Ecology Freshwater Algae Control Program.