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Bacteria in the Hudson River. Enterococci as microbial indicators of pathogens. Where does bacteria come from?. Untreated wastewater (CSOs) Improper boat waste disposal Animal and wildlife waste Stormwater runoff. Enterococci.
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Bacteria in the Hudson River Enterococci as microbial indicators of pathogens
Where does bacteria come from? • Untreated wastewater (CSOs) • Improper boat waste disposal • Animal and wildlife waste • Stormwater runoff
Enterococci • Bacteria from the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals • Used by the EPA as federal standard to indicate presence of pathogens • Pathogens indicated by presence of enterococci can cause gastrointestinal disease in humans
Sewage • NYC sewer system- 6000 miles of sewer pipes • 14 water treatment plants throughout NYC • NYC produces ~1.4 billion gallons of wastewater per day
North River Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity: 170 million gallons per day 125 mgd, dry weather 340 mgd, wet weather
Combined sewer system (CSS)= combination of street drains and household and industrial wastewater • 494 outfalls in New York City • EPA: CSO Control Policy • separate underground pipes for sewage and stormwater • keep combined pipes, increase capacity
Water Quality Standards • EPA enterococci standards • In Marine waters for bathing, 35 CFU/100mL • Ingestion of contaminated shellfish or surface water can cause gastrointestinal disease
Enterolert New method of testing enterococci by Idexx Laboratories using a nutrient indicator that fluoresces when metabolized by the bacteria
Colilert Similar technology in which nutrient indicator turns yellow when metabolized by coliforms, and flouresces when metabolized by E.Coli.
Other Measurements • Precipitation, turbidity, temperature, tides, suspended matter, organic/inorganic matter, and salinity are monitored along with enterococci, total coliform, and E.Coli.