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Topic: Ohio EPA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Program

Join this webinar and learn about how the Ohio agencies respond to HABs with a focus on drinking water sources. 

The presentation will include an explanation of what public water systems (PWS) are and where drinking water comes from (surface water vs groundwater), a brief discussion of the main types of cyanotoxins that Ohio EPA monitors and a breakdown of the collaborative practice between Ohio agencies and the split responsibilities. The presentation will then focus on the Division of Drinking and Ground Waters’ HAB Response Strategy -- the rules/guide set forth by USEPA and Ohio EPA on how HABs should be monitoring for drinking water sources and PWS’s. Learn what the rules are, how they are implemented, when samples are taken, how data is collected, how to submit bloom reports and more.

Presenter: Andy Amornyard, Ohio EPA

Andy Amornyard is an Environmental Specialist and Central Ohio HABs Coordinator for Ohio EPA in the Division of Drinking Water. One of his most important duties in his position is to ensure that public water systems treat and serve clean water, free of harmful algal toxins and other bacteria. He participates in several volunteer events every year to talk to the public about clean water. Before working for the Ohio EPA, Andy spent 4 years working at Aqua Doc as an Aquatic Biologist where his goals were to help educate people on how to promote healthier aquatic ecosystems. His core belief is, with enough education and access to resources, we can raise the awareness of harmful algal blooms and the importance of our impact on them. Andy is a graduate of The Ohio Sate University, where he received his B.S. in Biology with a specialization in Health Professions.