Ocean Shores advisory board weighs algae treatments, monitoring and next steps after council funding

Ocean Shores — The Freshwaterways Advisory Board on May 4 reviewed technical options to reduce cyanobacteria blooms and muck in local lakes and canals, focusing on bioaugmentation pellets, ultrasonic devices and aeration systems as potential near-term measures.

James Pace, the board secretary, said the board's cyanobacteria ad hoc group is evaluating three tracks: ‘‘windmill-powered oxygenation, ultrasonic buoys that monitor water and disrupt buoyant cyanobacteria, and muck-treatment pellets to accelerate organic breakdown,’’ and that the group has shared information with a vendor identified in the meeting as Aqua Tech (variant spellings were used in discussion) for technical review.

The discussion matters because the city council allocated $80,000 toward an alum treatment at a prior meeting, a funding action referenced during the discussion. Board members emphasized the difference between that council allocation and operational decisions the advisory board must still make: ‘‘We suggested the highest level of service so money would be available if needed,’’ Pace said, and added the board still needs to provide itemized recommendations to council for specific contracting and service levels.

The board heard technical caveats from members with field experience. Jim (no last name given) described bioaugmentation pellets as ‘‘good bacteria’’ that can reduce contaminant and muck accumulation if applied when flows are low and if pH remains balanced. ‘‘As long as it maintains the pH balance, it's fine,’’ he said, ‘‘If the pH is out of whack, it can actually contribute to the problem.’’ The board recorded that careful timing and water testing would be required for any product deployment.

An attendee identified as an agency official warned that mechanical aeration and in-water equipment may require permits. ‘‘Any mechanical equipment — aeration, surface aerators, subsurface diffusers — those kinds of things are gonna require some sort of a permit,’’ the official said, adding a municipal public hearing could be part of the review process.

Board members highlighted monitoring and early-warning benefits from devices that test water in real time: the ultrasonic buoys discussed include sensors that can feed data back to a municipal website and, combined with satellite imagery the board is receiving from Aqua Tech, could help the city detect blooms earlier.

Next steps the board identified include a technical review by the vendor referenced in the meeting, follow-up meetings with Ecology (a state contact named ‘‘Sean’’ was referenced as willing to meet and advise) and development of itemized recommendations for council consideration. The board also discussed permitting pathways and the potential need for a public hearing before deploying mechanical systems. The advisory board said it will continue gathering vendor data, water-quality test results and permitting guidance before recommending any field deployment.

The board adjourned after scheduling follow-ups; no final treatment decision was made at the May 4 meeting.