scholarly journals Comparing Source of Agricultural Contact Water and the Presence of Fecal Indicator Organisms on the Surface of ‘Juliet’ Grape Tomatoes

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
DONNA M. PAHL ◽  
ADRIANA TELIAS ◽  
MICHAEL NEWELL ◽  
ANDREA R. OTTESEN ◽  
CHRISTOPHER S. WALSH
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Microbial Water Quality ◽  
Fruit Surface

Consumption of fresh tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) has been implicated as the cause of several foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, most notably in cases of salmonellosis. How the levels of fecal indicator organisms (FIOs) in water relate to the counts of these microorganisms on the tomato fruit surface is unknown, although microbial water quality standards exist for agricultural use. This study utilized four types of FIOs currently and historically used in microbial water quality standards (Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli) to monitor the water quality of two surface ponds and a groundwater source. The groundwater tested contained significantly lower counts of all FIOs than the two surface water sources (P < 0.05). Considerable variability in bacterial counts was found in the surface water sources over the course of the season, perhaps explained by environmental variables, such as water temperature, pH, precipitation, and air temperature (R2 of 0.13 to 0.27). We also monitored the fruit surface of grape tomatoes treated with overhead applications of the different water sources over the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. The type of water source and time of year significantly affected the populations of FIOs in irrigation water (P < 0.05). Despite up to 5-log differences in fecal coliforms and 3-log differences in E. coli between the water sources, there was little difference in the populations measured in washes taken from tomato fruits. This lack of association between the aforementioned FIOs present in the water samples and on the tomato fruit surface demonstrates the difficulty in developing reliable metrics needed for testing of agricultural water to ensure the effectiveness of food safety programs.

scholarly journals Microbial Water Quality Conditions Associated with Livestock Grazing, Recreation, and Rural Residences in Mixed-Use Landscapes

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5207
Author(s):  
Kelsey L. Derose ◽  
Leslie M. Roche ◽  
David F. Lile ◽  
Danny J. Eastburn ◽  
Kenneth W. Tate
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Microbial Water Quality ◽  
Mountainous Watersheds ◽  
Rural Residences

Contamination of surface waters with microbial pollutants from fecal sources is a significant human health issue. Identification of relative fecal inputs from the mosaic of potential sources common in rural watersheds is essential to effectively develop and deploy mitigation strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional longitudinal survey of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations associated with extensive livestock grazing, recreation, and rural residences in three rural, mountainous watersheds in California, USA during critical summer flow conditions. Overall, we found that 86% to 87% of 77 stream sample sites across the study area were below contemporary Escherichia coli-based microbial water quality standards. FIB concentrations were lowest at recreation sites, followed closely by extensive livestock grazing sites. Elevated concentrations and exceedance of water quality standards were highest at sites associated with rural residences, and at intermittently flowing stream sites. Compared to national and state recommended E. coli-based water quality standards, antiquated rural regional policies based on fecal coliform concentrations overestimated potential fecal contamination by as much as four orders of magnitude in this landscape, hindering the identification of the most likely fecal sources and thus the efficient targeting of mitigation practices to address them.

scholarly journals The reality of water quality monitoring for SDG 6: a report from a small town in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-595
Author(s):  
Swati D. G. Rayasam ◽  
Bakul Rao ◽  
Isha Ray
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Institutional Capacity ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Microbial Water Quality

Abstract Based on a study of microbial water quality in a small town (Alibag) in India, we show the practical limitations of monitoring for fecal indicator bacteria to meet SDG 6. We find that even when water quality monitoring and testing infrastructure is in place, low institutional capacity and the pressure to not ‘fail’ the expected water quality standards can result in the failure to accurately report bacterial water quality.

An assessment of the impact of the proposed EU bathing water directive on Irish coastal bathing area compliance

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chawla ◽  
K. Real ◽  
B. Masterson
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Microbial Water Quality ◽  
Bathing Water Directive ◽  
Bathing Water ◽  
Good Classification ◽  
The Impact

An assessment of the impact of the new microbial water quality standards of the proposed EU Bathing Water Directive on the classification of designated Irish coastal bathing areas is presented. The new standards are applied retrospectively to the microbial water quality results for the bathing seasons of 1999, 2000 and 2001, and the outcome is compared with that recorded under the present Bathing Water Directive. A Microsoft EXCEL application was developed to generate the retrospective bathing area classifications according to the proposed Directive (Excellent, Good, Poor). It was found that the number of Irish coastal bathing areas not attaining ‘Excellent’ classification (as would be required at present for the Blue Flag award) was trebled; the number attaining ‘Good’ classification was increased by about 50%, and the number attracting ‘Poor’ classification (equivalent to ‘Fail’ under the present Directive) was increased nine-fold. Some of the shortcomings of the proposed Directive and suggestions for its revision are discussed.

History and Application of Microbiological Water Quality Standards in the Marine Environment

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Salas
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Indicator Organism ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Primary Contact ◽  
Microbiological Water Quality ◽  
Contact Recreation

The history and application of microbiological water quality standards in the marine environment for primary contact recreation and shell fish harvesting are presented. Special note is taken of recent investigations which concluded that Enterococci, as an indicator organism, provided the best correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to swimming in contaminated waters. The linear relationship developed between mean enterococcus density per 100 ml and swimming associated rate for gastrointestinal symptoms per 1000 persons is presented along with the U S Environmental Protection Agency proposal to adopt Enterococci as the primary indicator organism in lieu of total and fecal coliforms. One school of thought which considers microbiological guidelines/standards for primary contact recreation relevant to public health protection is compared to the opposing viewpoint that such guidelines/standards are merely useful for aesthetic considerations. International, national and local microbiological guidelines and standards in the marine environment are presented to provide a range for the water quality planner. The simple adaptation of a particular set of standards is considered inappropriate without a thorough review of local circumstances and local/ national economic factors. Also, caution should be exercised in directly applying quantitative relationships between health risk and indicator organism in other areas where the general health and immunity of the local population may be different.

scholarly journals Seasonal variations in the risk of gastrointestinal illness on a tropical recreational beach

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyzbeth Cordero ◽  
Jose Norat ◽  
Hernando Mattei ◽  
Cruz Nazario
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Residential Development ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Autumn Season ◽  
Recreational Beach ◽  
Microbial Contaminants ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Children Under 5

The objectives of this study were to examine the seasonal changes in the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) illness of beachgoers in the tropics, to compare the association between GI illness and water quality using various indicator organisms, and to study other beach health hazards. A prospective cohort study during two seasonal periods (summer and autumn) was conducted in a beach surrounded by intensive residential development. Analyses demonstrated that although densities of indicators were well below water quality standards throughout the study, they were significantly higher during the autumn season. The incidence of GI illness among beachgoers was also higher during the rainy season. A higher incidence of GI illness was observed for bathers during the autumn season when compared to non-bathers, while a somewhat lower incidence was observed during the summer. This study showed that rainfall contributes to higher levels of microbial contaminants and GI risk to beachgoers. The association between GI illness and Enterococcus using culture counts showed the highest odds ratio among all indicator parameters including those using molecular methods. A much higher risk of GI illness among children under 5 years was observed among all beachgoers.

An Assessment of Fecal Indicator Bacteria-Based Water Quality Standards

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (13) ◽  
pp. 4676-4682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Gronewold ◽  
Mark E. Borsuk ◽  
Robert L. Wolpert ◽  
Kenneth H. Reckhow
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Fecal Indicator

scholarly journals Water Quality Index Assessment ofGroundwater in Todaraisingh Tehsil of Rajasthan State, India-A Greener Approach

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s1) ◽  
pp. S428-S432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar Yadav ◽  
Parveen Khan ◽  
Sanjay K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Water Quality Index ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Water Quality Standards

This study deals with the statistical analysis and study of water quality index to assess hardness of groundwater in Todaraisingh tehsil of Tonk district of Rajasthan state. The study has been carried out to examine its suitability for drinking, irrigation and industrial purpose. The presence of problematic salts contains in groundwater due to local pollutants and affected the groundwater quality adversely. The estimated values were compared with drinking water quality standards prescribed by B.I.S. It was found that drinking water is severely polluted with hardness causing salts. This study reveals that people dependent on water sources of the study area are prone to health hazards of contaminated water and quality managements to hardness urgently needed.

scholarly journals Storm effects on regional beach water quality along the southern California shoreline

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel T. Noble ◽  
Stephen B. Weisberg ◽  
Molly K. Leecaster ◽  
Charles D. McGee ◽  
John H. Dorsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sandy Beaches ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Regional Studies ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Beach Water Quality

Two regional studies conducted during dry weather demonstrated that the Southern California Bight (SCB) shoreline has good water quality, except near areas that drain land-based runoff. Here, we repeat those regional studies 36 h after a rainstorm to assess the influence of runoff under high flow conditions. Two hundred and fifty-four shoreline sites between Santa Barbara, California and Ensenada, Mexico were sampled using a stratified-random sampling design with four strata: sandy beaches, rocky shoreline, shoreline adjacent to urban runoff outlets that flow intermittently, and shoreline adjacent to outlets that flow year-round. Each site was sampled for total coliforms, fecal coliforms (or E. coli), and enterococci. Sixty percent of the shoreline failed water quality standards after the storm compared to only 6% during dry weather. Failure of water quality standards increased to more than 90% for shoreline areas adjacent to urban runoff outlets. During dry weather, most water quality failures occurred for only one of the three bacterial indicators and concentrations were barely above State of California standards; following the storm, most failures were for multiple indicators and exceeded State of California standards by a large margin. The condition of the shoreline in Mexico and the United States was similar following rainfall, which was not the case during dry weather.

scholarly journals Persistence and Differential Survival of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Subtropical Waters and Sediments

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3041-3048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly L. Anderson ◽  
John E. Whitlock ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Differential Survival ◽  
Fecal Indicator

ABSTRACT Fecal coliforms and enterococci are indicator organisms used worldwide to monitor water quality. These bacteria are used in microbial source tracking (MST) studies, which attempt to assess the contribution of various host species to fecal pollution in water. Ideally, all strains of a given indicator organism (IO) would experience equal persistence (maintenance of culturable populations) in water; however, some strains may have comparatively extended persistence outside the host, while others may persist very poorly in environmental waters. Assessment of the relative contribution of host species to fecal pollution would be confounded by differential persistence of strains. Here, freshwater and saltwater mesocosms, including sediments, were inoculated with dog feces, sewage, or contaminated soil and were incubated under conditions that included natural stressors such as microbial predators, radiation, and temperature fluctuations. Persistence of IOs was measured by decay rates (change in culturable counts over time). Decay rates were influenced by IO, inoculum, water type, sediment versus water column location, and Escherichia coli strain. Fecal coliform decay rates were significantly lower than those of enterococci in freshwater but were not significantly different in saltwater. IO persistence according to mesocosm treatment followed the trend: contaminated soil > wastewater > dog feces. E. coli ribotyping demonstrated that certain strains were more persistent than others in freshwater mesocosms, and the distribution of ribotypes sampled from mesocosm waters was dissimilar from the distribution in fecal material. These results have implications for the accuracy of MST methods, modeling of microbial populations in water, and efficacy of regulatory standards for protection of water quality.

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