AWWA QTC98222

This study was designed to identify the occurrence and sources of pathogens in watersheds. Raw water samples from 109 utilities across North America were tested one time each for the presence or absence of two bacterial pathogens, Salmonella and enteropathogenic E. coli (O157 serotype), from September, 1996 through January, 1997. In another phase of the study, three watersheds in Wisconsin with varying landuses (urban, agricultrual, and pristine) were characterized and analyzed for potential sources of pathogens. Water samples from the three watersheds were collected biweekly from June - November, 1997 and from April -May, 1998 and analyzed for the two bacterial pathogens as well as for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Automated samplers were used to collect weather-event samples in the three watersheds in order to more accurately characterize the occurrence of pathogens within the watersheds. Analysis of the data indicated that samples collected later in the weather-event hydrograph and "first flush" samples were most likely to contain pathogens. Fecal samples from wild and domestic animals likely to be found in each of the three watersheds were collected and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella, enteropathogenic E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. The analyses performed during this study, together with the knowledge of land use practices within watersheds, may enable the identification of pathogen sources and, as a consequence, allow the elimination or regulation of contamination sources.

Product Details

Published:

01/01/1998

ISBN(s):

0898679796

Number of Pages:

15

File Size:

1 file , 98 KB