scholarly journals Seeing is Predicting: Water Clarity-Based Nowcast Models for E. coli Prediction in Surface Water

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Dada
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
River Waters ◽  
The Public ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Black Disc ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Given the 24–48 h turn-around time of conventional surveillance approaches, methods are needed that improve the timeliness and accuracy of recreational water quality risk assessments. Although one useful approach is to combine existing monitoring programmes with predictive faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) models, these models are largely ‘top-down’ in their approach to safeguarding public health. Beyond being simply ‘advised when to avoid swimming’, there is an increasing awareness amongst the general public regarding the role they can play in water quality monitoring. Using quantile, maximum value and optimized incremental modelling approaches, this study reports on the possibility of developing intuitive, public-friendly models that are based on the physical appearance of water (clarity), to estimate 8103 nation-wide E. coli concentrations in rivers, and to assess whether water is safe to swim in. If swimmers were to avoid river waters with <1.1 m black disc visibility during autumn and summer, and river waters with values <0.5 m black disc visibility during spring and winter, they would also avoid microbial hazards that are associated with exceedances of the 540 CFU/100 mL single sample bathing water standard. Regardless of the climatic season, stream order classification, catchment land cover or geology of streams considered, the clarity-based E. coli models performed well as they presented with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of at least 72%. The developed models offer the benefit of providing a faster method for estimating E. coli concentration, potentially engaging the public in water monitoring, and allowing them to make informed decisions on whether it is safe to swim.

Flood and rainfall mobilisation of E. coli and faecal source tracking markers from decomposing cowpats 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Devane ◽  
Brent Gilpin ◽  
Jennifer Webster-Brown ◽  
Louise Weaver ◽  
Pierre Dupont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Faecal Indicators

<p>The intensification of dairy farming on the agricultural landscape in New Zealand has raised concerns about pollution sources from dairy faecal runoff into waterways. The transport of faecal pollution from farms into waterways is facilitated by overland flow, which can result from rain and flood events, poorly designed irrigation practices and the washing down of milking sheds.</p><p>An important step for mitigation of pollution is the identification of the source(s) of faecal contamination. When elevated levels of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) such as <em>Escherichia coli </em>are identified in a waterway, faecal source tracking (FST) tools such as microbial source tracking (MST) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and faecal steroids (for example, cholesterol) provide information about the sources of faecal contamination. The understanding of the fate (degradation/persistence) and transport of these FST markers in the environment is recognised as an important requirement for the interpretation of water quality monitoring in aquatic environments.</p><p>This study investigated the effects of faecal decomposition on bovine faecal indicators (<em>E. coli </em>and FST markers: bovine-associated qPCR markers and ten faecal steroids) by monitoring the effect of flood and rainfall events on simulated cowpats over a five and a half month period under field conditions. Two separate spring/summer trials were conducted to evaluate: Trial 1) the mobilisation under simulated flood conditions of the faecal indicators from irrigated versus non-irrigated cowpats, Trial 2) the mobilisation of faecal indicators from non-irrigated cowpat flood runoff versus runoff after simulated rainfall onto non-irrigated cowpats.</p><p>The microbial community changes within the decomposing cowpat (as illustrated by amplicon-based metagenomic analysis) were expected to impact on the survival/persistence of the bacterial targets of the MST markers, and also alter the ratio between faecal sterols and their biodegradation products, the stanols. It was hypothesised, therefore, that there would be:</p><ul><li>Changes over time in the concentration of<em> E. coli </em>and the bovine-associated MST markers mobilised into the cowpat runoff</li> <li>Alterations in the FST ratio signature of the ten measured faecal steroids, resulting in a change from a bovine faecal steroid signature in fresh cowpat runoff to other animal faecal signatures in the runoff from decomposing cowpats</li> <li>A difference in the mobilisation decline rates of all FST and microbial markers within a treatment regime and between treatments.</li> </ul><p>Linear regression analysis was undertaken to establish mobilisation decline rates for each of the analytes in the mobilisable phase from the cowpat runoff treatments, with calculation of the time taken in days for reduction in 90% of the concentration (T<sub>90</sub>), and statistical comparison of the regression coefficients (slopes) of all analytes. The results will include a discussion of the impacts of the study’s observations on the interpretation of faecal indicator assessments for water quality monitoring in waterways influenced by sources of faecal contamination.</p>

scholarly journals Non-point source pollution: Determination of replication versus persistence of Escherichia coli in surface water and sediments with correlation of levels to readily measurable environmental parameters

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Kinzelman ◽  
Sandra L. McLellan ◽  
Annette D. Daniels ◽  
Susan Cashin ◽  
Ajaib Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Point Source ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Point Source Pollution ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Non Point Source Pollution

Racine, Wisconsin, located on Lake Michigan, experiences frequent recreational water quality advisories in the absence of any identifiable point source of pollution. This research examines the environmental distribution of Escherichia coli in conjunction with the assessment of additional parameters (rainfall, turbidity, wave height, wind direction, wind speed and algal presence) in order to determine the most probable factors that influence E. coli levels in surface waters. Densities of E. coli were highest in core samples taken from foreshore sands, often exceeding an order of magnitude greater than those collected from submerged sands and water. Simple regression and multivariate analyses conducted on supplementary environmental data indicate that the previous day's E. coli concentration in conjunction with wave height is significantly predictive for present-time E. coli concentration. Genetic fingerprinting using repetitive element anchored PCR and cellular fatty acid analysis were employed to assess the presence of clonal isolates which indicate replication from a common parent cell. There were relatively few occurrences of clonal patterns in isolates collected from water, foreshore and submerged sands, suggesting that accumulation of E. coli, rather than environmental replication, was occurring in this system. Non-point source pollution, namely transport of accumulated E. coli from foreshore sands to surface waters via wave action, was found to be a major contributor to poor recreational water quality at the Lake Michigan beaches involved in this study.

Choices in Recreational Water Quality Monitoring: New Opportunities and Health Risk Trade-Offs

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 3073-3081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith B. Nevers ◽  
Muruleedhara N. Byappanahalli ◽  
Richard L. Whitman
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Recreational Water Quality ◽  
Trade Offs

Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches

2016 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn A. Shively ◽  
Meredith B. Nevers ◽  
Cathy Breitenbach ◽  
Mantha S. Phanikumar ◽  
Kasia Przybyla-Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Recreational Water Quality

scholarly journals Water quality for triathlon and open water swimming competitions in Brazilian freshwaters

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-179
Author(s):  
Frederico Azevedo Lopes ◽  
Andrea Coelho Leite
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Primary Contact ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Contact Recreation

Abstract In high-performance competitive activities, there can be intense and prolonged exposure to water during swimming components of the competition. Therefore, water quality assessments with reference to standards are desirable to ensure athletes’ health. We evaluated whether the official criteria established for primary contact recreation in Brazilian freshwaters (CONAMA Directive 274/2000), and an integrated index of bathing conditions in Brazil (ICB), are consistent with the water quality standards stipulated by the International Triathlon Union (ITU). The water quality of Lake of Ingleses, an important venue for triathlon and open water swimming near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, was assessed between 2003 and 2019. Results for E. coli, cyanobacteria density, and pH were favorable for contact recreation and competitions at the lake. Of the variables considered, only turbidity, used as a proxy indicator of visual water clarity, was unsuitable during part of the monitoring period. The ICB agreed with the ITU standards for Very Good and Excellent quality classes and is recommended as a tool for screening sites considered for competitions in Brazilian freshwaters. However, the Brazilian national criteria for contact recreation only present standards for E. coli and pH, which is insufficient coverage of attributes affecting primary contact suitability of water in high-performance sports activities.

scholarly journals Molecular Diagnostic Platforms for Specific Detection of Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehan Deshmukh ◽  
Utpal Roy
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Water Contaminants ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Safe Food

Developing countries due to socio-economic conditions are more prone to frequent pathogenic outbreaks; inadequate sanitation and water quality monitoring are also responsible for such conditions. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to provide microbiologically safe food/water in order to protect public health. Several flaws in traditional culturing methods have sparked a surge in interest in molecular techniques as a means of improving the efficiency and sensitivity of microbiological food/water quality monitoring. Molecular identification of water contaminants, mainly Escherichia coli, has been extensively used. Several of the molecular-based techniques are based on amplification and detection of nucleic acids. The advantages offered by these PCR-based methods over culture-based techniques are a higher level of specificity, sensitivity, and rapidity. Of late, the development of a biosensor device that is easy to perform, highly sensitive, and selective has the potential to become indispensable in detecting low CFU of pathogenic E. coli in environmental samples. This review seeks to provide a vista of the progress made in the detection of E. coli using nucleic acid-based approaches as part of the microbiological food/water quality monitoring.

scholarly journals Assessing the water quality of Suva foreshore for the establishment of estuary and marine recreational water guidelines in the Fiji Islands

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praneel Pranesh Lal ◽  
Natacha Juste-Poinapen M.S.N. ◽  
Johann Poinapen
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Recreational Waters ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fiji Islands ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Sampling Programme ◽  
Water And Wastewater ◽  
River Site

Abstract The Standards for water quality in Fiji defined in the Environment Management Regulations (2007) only relate to effluent discharge into the environment. Urbanisation is contributing to wastewater contamination in receiving estuary and marine recreational waters, thus requiring specific guidelines. To create a baseline for this, a sampling programme with relevant physico-chemical and biological parameters was implemented at 3 sites along the Suva foreshore, for 8 consecutive months, during low and high tides. Analysis was done in triplicates, using standard methods approved for the examination of water and wastewater. In the absence of relevant Fiji guidelines, the results were compared with ANZECC (2000) guidelines for estuary and marine waters. Low DO levels, high COD, TN, NH3, TP, OP and heavy metal concentrations were measured in all 3 sites. For instance, TN and NH3 concentrations as high as 4.44 ±0.99 mg/L and 2.58 ± 0.89 mg/L respectively were recorded in Wailea river (Site 2). The colony counts for the TC, FC and E. coli were in most cases above the limits. These results confirm that wastewater discharges add to the inherent levels of parameters in receiving water bodies and support the need for a specific, robust Fiji standards to better monitor water quality in foreshore areas.

Fecal Coliforms, E. coli or Alternative Pathogens, What is the Right Indicator for Water Quality Monitoring?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (9) ◽  
pp. 6234-6242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Lu ◽  
Vikram Kapoor ◽  
David Wendell ◽  
MaryLynn Lodor ◽  
Biju George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Right

scholarly journals A survey of the microbiological quality of private water supplies in England

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. RUTTER ◽  
G. L. NICHOLS ◽  
A. SWAN ◽  
J. DE LOUVOIS
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
The Public ◽  
E Coli

Results from statutory testing of private water supplies in nine Public Health Laboratories in England were compiled, and the effects of supply class, source, treatment and location on water quality were examined. A total of 6551 samples from 2911 supplies was examined, over a 2-year period, of which 1342 (21%) samples, and 949 (33%) supplies on at least one occasion, failed current regulations for Escherichia coli. Total coliforms, including E. coli, were detected in 1751 (27%) samples from 1215 (42%) supplies. The percentage of samples positive for E. coli was highest in summer and autumn, and lowest in winter. Samples taken from larger supplies and from boreholes were less frequently contaminated than those from other sources. Chlorination, filtration or UV light treatment improved the bacteriological quality of supplies, but still resulted in a low level of compliance with the regulations. The public health implications of the study are discussed.

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