Author
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HIGGINS, JAMES |
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Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2004 Publication Date: 1/19/2005 Citation: Higgins, J.A. 2005. Natural History of E. Coli in fresh water. Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings, January 19-20, 2005, Sheridan, Wyoming. p.1 Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: E. coli has historically been used, along with other bacteria categorized as 'fecal coliforms' or 'coliforms', as an index of water quality per se and as a marker for the efficacy of water purification and treatment procedures. As a result of increased attention given to regulations on total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for surface waters in the United States, landowners and county and state agencies will be expected to monitor concentrations of E. coli and other enteric bacteria in freshwaters under their stewardship. The natural history of E. coli in surface waters is complex and its presence is not always indicative of 'contamination'. For example, there is substantial evidence that even pristine streams with no input from anthropogenic sources, such as septic tanks, wastewater treatment plants, and livestock operations, may have established populations of E. coli in their waters. Research conducted by USDA-ARS investigators on a number of different stream habitats and usage types indicates that E. coli, as well as other enteric, potentially pathogenic bacterial species, is present in all stream types. In a stream associated with modest-scale row crop (corn and soybean) agriculture, the presence of E. coli and pathogens such as Yersinia enterocolitica and Shigella flexneri appears to be independent of manure spreading operations and may in fact reflect wild animal inputs into the stream. |
