Location: Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-42610-001-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2020
End Date: Aug 31, 2024
Objective:
To (1) monitor spatial patterns of E. coli and pathogen populations in water and sediments in surface water used for irrigation, and (2) develop mathematical modeling to predict microbial load on irrigation water.
Approach:
The year-around weekly monitoring of microbial population in three ponds and a stream will be performed to collect data on E. coli and enteric pathogen populations water used for irrigation (q1samples per week per water source). The informative nearshore and interior sampling locations and weekly sampling schedule will be and maintained. Input of microbial load from neighboring farms to pond and creek water will be surveyed. Results will be used to develop mathematical model that predicts bacterial populations in creek water used for irrigation.
