ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

October 11, 1973

VILLAGE OF AUGUSTA

v.

)

PCB 73—327

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY)

VILLAGE OF COULTERVILLE

v.

)

PCB 73—370

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY)

OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (BY MR. DTJMELLE)

Both petitions request variance from Rule 203 (f) of The

Water Pollution Regulations (which sets maximum values of

0.02 mg/i of copper) in order that treatment of water supply

reservoirs with copper sulfate may be performed to reduce algae

growth.

No hearings were held in either case. The Agency has recommended

granting the variances which we do subject to certain conditions.

One major reason for being prudent about the use of copper

sulfate in water reservoirs is the fear that toxic amounts of copper

may build up over time in the bottom muds and inhibit a well-

balanced aquatic life. Dr. Charles B. Muchmore of Southern

Illinois University has completed a study for the Institute for

Environmental Quality titled “Algae Control in Water Supply Reservoirst’

(July, 1973). In his study, Dr. Muchmore cites a level of 9000 ppm.

ppm (dry basis) found in a 1952 Wisconsin study as being the copper

content necessary to affect bottom dwelling organisms. But no data

are given as to the present copper content of Illinois reservoir

bottoms.

Since the passage of ~he Water Pollution Regulations in

March, 1972, we have had the question of copper sulfate algae

control before us for two years. It would seem that even now we

do not know what is happening in Illinois water supply reservoirs

over the years so far as toxic copper accumulations are concerned.

We urge the Institute and the Agency to accomplish bottom sampling

yet this year, before winter, so that by next spring, we will have

long-needed answers.

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The Muchmore Report deals with alternative algicides including

chlorine, lime, potassium permanganate and ~-Iydrothol—47. If

no problem exists from the use of copper sulfate then these or

any other alternatives need not be considered at all. The

basic question remains “Is there a problem in using CuSO4 for

algae control?”

Another concern in using copper sulfate is its effect upon

fish. Dr. Muchmore gives one reference (Wilbur, 1969) who

suggests that levels used may kill fingerling trout or bass fry.

Again, no experience in Illinois is given and we do not know if

a problem ~tofish exists in our waters.

In conclusion, as we complete another algae “season”, we

seem to know only that copper sulfate used to control algae

probably does not create a short term problem and we do not know

the answer to the long term question. More and prompt field

research is needed.

ORDER

1. Variance is granted from Rule 203 (f) of the Water

Pollution Regulations to the Village of Augusta and the Village

of Coulterville to use copper sulfate to prevent algae growths

during September and October of 1973 for Augusta and during

August through and including October, 1973 for Coulterville.

2. Treatments shall be once monthly and shall not exceed

600 lbs. of copper sulfate for Augusta and 400 lbs. of copper sulfate

for Coulterville.

3. Copper concentrations in the raw water intake to the

water treatment plant shall not exceed 1.0 mg/l as copper at

any time.

4. The copper concentration in the reservoir shall be

measured before and after each copper sulfate treatment and the

results submitted monthly to the Agency.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

I, Christan Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control

Board, certify that the above Opinion and Order was adopted

on the

//-~i’~

day of c~t,tJ~.g~J

11L

,

1973,

4~k~s~

by a vote of

to

p

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