Evaluating short-term changes in recreational water quality during a hydrograph event using a combination of microbial tracers, environmental microbiology, microbial source tracking and hydrological techniques: A case study in Southwest Wales, UK

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (16) ◽  
pp. 4783-4795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Wyer ◽  
David Kay ◽  
John Watkins ◽  
Cheryl Davies ◽  
Chris Kay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Microbiology ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Recreational Water Quality

scholarly journals Human-Associated Bacteroides spp. and Human Polyomaviruses as Microbial Source Tracking Markers in Hawaii

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (22) ◽  
pp. 6757-6767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Kirs ◽  
Roberto A. Caffaro-Filho ◽  
Mayee Wong ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood ◽  
Philip Moravcik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sewage Contamination

ABSTRACTIdentification of sources of fecal contaminants is needed to (i) determine the health risk associated with recreational water use and (ii) implement appropriate management practices to mitigate this risk and protect the environment. This study evaluated human-associatedBacteroidesspp. (HF183TaqMan) and human polyomavirus (HPyV) markers for host sensitivity and specificity using human and animal fecal samples collected in Hawaii. The decay rates of those markers and indicator bacteria were identified in marine and freshwater microcosms exposed and not exposed to sunlight, followed by field testing of the usability of the molecular markers. Both markers were strongly associated with sewage, although the cross-reactivity of the HF183TaqMan (also present in 82% of canine [n= 11], 30% of mongoose [n= 10], and 10% of feline [n= 10] samples) needs to be considered. Concentrations of HF183TaqMan in human fecal samples exceeded those in cross-reactive animals at least 1,000-fold. In the absence of sunlight, the decay rates of both markers were comparable to the die-off rates of enterococci in experimental freshwater and marine water microcosms. However, in sunlight, the decay rates of both markers were significantly lower than the decay rate of enterococci. While both markers have their individual limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity, these limitations can be mitigated by using both markers simultaneously; ergo, this study supports the concurrent use of HF183TaqMan and HPyV markers for the detection of sewage contamination in coastal and inland waters in Hawaii.IMPORTANCEThis study represents an in-depth characterization of microbial source tracking (MST) markers in Hawaii. The distribution and concentrations of HF183TaqMan and HPyV markers in human and animal fecal samples and in wastewater, coupled with decay data obtained from sunlight-exposed and unexposed microcosms, support the concurrent application of HF183TaqMan and HPyV markers for sewage contamination detection in Hawaii waters. Both markers are more conservative and more specific markers of sewage than fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci andEscherichia coli). Analysis of HF183TaqMan (or newer derivatives) is recommended for inclusion in future epidemiological studies concerned with beach water quality, while better concentration techniques are needed for HPyV. Such epidemiological studies can be used to develop new recreational water quality criteria, which will provide direct information on the absence or presence of sewage contamination in water samples as well as reliable measurements of the risk of waterborne disease transmission to swimmers.

scholarly journals Automated Targeted Sampling of Waterborne Pathogens and Microbial Source Tracking Markers Using Near-Real Time Monitoring of Microbiological Water Quality

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2069
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Burnet ◽  
Marc Habash ◽  
Mounia Hachad ◽  
Zeinab Khanafer ◽  
Michèle Prévost ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Waterborne Pathogens ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sampling Methodology ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Biochemical Indicator ◽  
Microbiological Water Quality

Waterborne pathogens are heterogeneously distributed across various spatiotemporal scales in water resources, and representative sampling is therefore crucial for accurate risk assessment. Since regulatory monitoring of microbiological water quality is usually conducted at fixed time intervals, it can miss short-term fecal contamination episodes and underestimate underlying microbial risks. In the present paper, we developed a new automated sampling methodology based on near real-time measurement of a biochemical indicator of fecal pollution. Online monitoring of β-D-glucuronidase (GLUC) activity was used to trigger an automated sampler during fecal contamination events in a drinking water supply and at an urban beach. Significant increases in protozoan parasites, microbial source tracking markers and E. coli were measured during short-term (<24 h) fecal pollution episodes, emphasizing the intermittent nature of their occurrence in water. Synchronous triggering of the automated sampler with online GLUC activity measurements further revealed a tight association between the biochemical indicator and culturable E. coli. The proposed event sampling methodology is versatile and in addition to the two triggering modes validated here, others can be designed based on specific needs and local settings. In support to regulatory monitoring schemes, it should ultimately help gathering crucial data on waterborne pathogens more efficiently during episodic fecal pollution events.

scholarly journals Predicting culturable enterococci exceedances at Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico using satellite remote sensing and artificial neural networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-148
Author(s):  
Abdiel E. Laureano-Rosario ◽  
Andrew P. Duncan ◽  
Erin M. Symonds ◽  
Dragan A. Savic ◽  
Frank E. Muller-Karger
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
San Juan ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Recreational Water Quality ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Predicting recreational water quality is key to protecting public health from exposure to wastewater-associated pathogens. It is not feasible to monitor recreational waters for all pathogens; therefore, monitoring programs use fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), such as enterococci, to identify wastewater pollution. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to predict when culturable enterococci concentrations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC) at Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ten years of culturable enterococci data were analyzed together with satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST), direct normal irradiance (DNI), turbidity, and dew point, along with local observations of precipitation and mean sea level (MSL). The factors identified as the most relevant for enterococci exceedance predictions based on the U.S. EPA RWQC were DNI, turbidity, cumulative 48 h precipitation, MSL, and SST; they predicted culturable enterococci exceedances with an accuracy of 75% and power greater than 60% based on the Receiving Operating Characteristic curve and F-Measure metrics. Results show the applicability of satellite-derived data and ANNs to predict recreational water quality at Escambron Beach. Future work should incorporate local sanitary survey data to predict risky recreational water conditions and protect human health.

scholarly journals Modeling the Effects of Future Hydroclimatic Conditions on Microbial Water Quality and Management Practices in Two Agricultural Watersheds

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 753-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Coffey ◽  
Jonathan Butcher ◽  
Brian Benham ◽  
Thomas Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliform ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Agricultural Watersheds ◽  
Water Quality Criteria ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Microbial Water Quality ◽  
Recreational Water Quality ◽  
Nonpoint Sources

Highlights Increased fecal coliform (FC) loading from nonpoint sources is associated with wetter-warmer futures. Drier-warmer futures reduced FC loads but caused more recreational water quality criteria exceedances. More extensive BMP implementation may be needed to meet water quality goals. Abstract. Anticipated future hydroclimatic changes are expected to alter the transport and survival of fecally sourced waterborne pathogens, presenting an increased risk of recreational water quality impairments. Managing future risk requires an understanding of the interactions between fecal sources, hydroclimatic conditions, and best management practices (BMPs) at spatial scales relevant to decision makers. In this study, we used the Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) to quantify potential fecal coliform (FC, an indicator of the potential presence of pathogens) responses to a range of mid-century climate scenarios and assess different BMP scenarios (based on reduction factors) for reducing the risk of water quality impairment in two small agricultural watersheds: the Chippewa watershed in Minnesota, and the Tye watershed in Virginia. In each watershed, simulations show a wide range of FC responses, driven largely by variability in projected future precipitation. Wetter future conditions, which drive more transport from nonpoint sources (e.g., manure application, livestock grazing), show increases in FC loads. Loads typically decrease in drier futures; however, higher mean FC concentrations and more recreational water quality criteria exceedances occur, likely caused by reduced flow during low-flow periods. Median changes across the ensemble generally show increases in FC load. BMPs that focus on key fecal sources (e.g., runoff from pasture, livestock defecation in streams) within a watershed can mitigate the effects of hydroclimatic change on FC loads. However, more extensive BMP implementation or improved BMP efficiency (i.e., higher FC reductions) may be needed to fully offset increases in FC load and meet water quality goals, such as total maximum daily loads and recreational water quality standards. Strategies for managing climate risk should be flexible and to the extent possible include resilient BMPs that function as designed under a range of future conditions. Keywords: Climate, HSPF, Management responses, Microbial water quality, Modeling, Watersheds.

Monitoring coastal marine waters for spore-forming bacteria of faecal and soil origin to determine point from non-point source pollution

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 181-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Fujioka
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Point Source ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Point Source Pollution ◽  
Faecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Recreational Water Quality ◽  
Non Point Source Pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established recreational water quality standards limiting the concentrations of faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliform, E. coli, enterococci) to ensure that these waters are safe for swimming. In the application of these hygienic water quality standards, it is assumed that there are no significant environmental sources of these faecal indicator bacteria which are unrelated to direct faecal contamination. However, we previously reported that these faecal indicator bacteria are able to grow in the soil environment of humid tropical island environments such as Hawaii and Guam and are transported at high concentrations into streams and storm drains by rain. Thus, streams and storm drains in Hawaii contain consistently high concentrations of faecal indicator bacteria which routinely exceed the EPA and WHO recreational water quality standards. Since, streams and storm drains eventually flow out to coastal marine waters, we hypothesize that all the coastal beaches which receive run-off from streams and storm drains will contain elevated concentrations of faecal indicator bacteria. To test this hypothesis, we monitored the coastal waters at four beaches known to receive water from stream or storm drains for salinity, turbidity, and used the two faecal indicator bacteria (E. coli, enterococci) to establish recreational water quality standards. To determine if these coastal waters are contaminated with non-point source pollution (streams) or with point source pollution (sewage effluent), these same water samples were also assayed for spore-forming bacteria of faecal origin (Cl. perfringens) and of soil origin (Bacillus species). Using this monitoring strategy it was possible to determine when coastal marine waters were contaminated with non-point source pollution and when coastal waters were contaminated with point source pollution. The results of this study are most likely applicable to all countries in the warm and humid region of the world.

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