City of Boulder NZMS Decontamination Protocol - FINAL (1).pdf

City of Boulder Protocol for New Zealand Mudsnail Decontamination (FINAL) The spread of New Zealand mudsnails (NZMS)is strongly linked with human activities. It is extremely important to follow guidelines for cleaning equipment and gear to minimize the chance of spreading NZMS to a new area.

Before Entering a Site All equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before entering the project area. The cleaning of any equipment used on site must occur off site in an appropriate facility prior to arrival. Contractors shall provide the Project Manager with written documentation that all personal gear and equipment that will come in contact with water during the course of the project has been decontaminated following the procedures below. Contractors will present the equipment to the Project Manager for inspection prior to that equipment entering the water. Equipment with any mud, organic material, or other debris will not be permitted in or near the waterbody.

Equipment must also be completely dry upon arriving at the project site. The Project Manager will not allow any equipment that is not dry to be used on the project site until the equipment has been dry for at least 24 hours prior to its use.

Equipment Decontamination Equipment decontamination is mandatory to avoid transporting New Zealand mudsnails, along with other aquatic nuisance species, between different waterbodies. The Contractor shall use the following decontamination procedures to ensure no New Zealand mudsnails are introduced to the project area.

The decontamination protocol will be followed before entering a site and after leaving a site once work is complete. Decontamination should occur far enough from any waterbody that rinse water and/or chemical decontaminants do not wash into waterbodies.

Personal Gear and Small Equipment Personal gear, such as boots and waders, can transport snails in treads and seams. Studies have shown that footwear with felt soles are particularly prone to transport snails. Only wear footwear with rubber soles. Waders and boots that have felt soles are not permitted. Decontaminate gear such as boots, shovels, and sampling equipment before entering a site and after leaving a site.

Step 1 New Zealand mudsnails can attach to a variety of substrates such as rocks, vegetation, wood, sand, silt, etc., which can easily stick to gear and equipment. Scrub gear and equipment between sites to remove all debris. Use a stiff bristle brush to ensure all cracks are cleaned completely, as the snails can hide easily and be transported to a new location.

Step 2 After scrubbing gear and equipment, one of the following treatment measures must be employed:

1. Soak equipment/gear in a bath of disinfectant solution for 10 minutes.

a. The solution must contain quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) (e.g., Quat 4, Quat

128, Super HDQ Neutral, etc.). The QAC-containing disinfectant should be diluted with water at a rate to achieve a minimum active QAC concentration of 0.4%. Six ounces of disinfectant to one gallon of water is recommended. After removal from the bath, rinse equipment/gear thoroughly with tap water.

b. NOTE: Muddy disinfectant solution will lose its effectiveness and ability to kill New Zealand mudsnails, replace water if muddy.

c. Disposal: rinsing used solutes of QAC down a sanitary sewer is a safe method of disposal. However, do not dump solutions down storm water drains or in bodies of water. Always dilute the product before rinsing it down a sanitary sewer. Follow the MSDS and label for disposal of the empty QAC container.

2. Freeze equipment/gear for a minimum of 4 hours. Temperatures must be at 26°F (-3° C) or below.

3. Soak equipment/gear in a bath of hot water (at least 120°F, 46°C) for 10 minutes. This method is not advised for Gortex.

4. Dry equipment/gear for at least 48 hours. Equipment/gear must be totally dry prior to use.

Large equipment Large equipment, including but not limited to construction vehicles, loaders, and excavators to be used in stream, ponds, or wetland areas (including moist soil) shall be decontaminated prior to arrival on the project site.

Step 1 Large equipment and gear must be power washed to remove dirt, organic material, or other debris. All parts of the heavy equipment must by power washed, including but not limited to, the tracks, turrets, buckets, drags, teeth, etc. New Zealand mudsnails can easily hide and be transported in clumps of mud or organic materials, it is vital to ensure ALL debris are removed from the equipment.

Do not use water from the site so as not to re contaminate equipment while power washing.

Work with city staff member to locate an appropriate source of water for power washing.

Ensure that the rinse water is not flowing into a storm water drain or into another body of water.

Step 2 After power washing, large equipment shall be sprayed with hot water that is at least 140°F (60°C) such that each portion of the surface receives hot water for a minimum of 15 seconds. Equipment must be dried and remain dry following the hot water treatment for a minimum of 24 hours.