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Updating Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria in Surface Waters: Protecting Public Health and Consistency with EPA Guidel

This presentation by Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief, discusses the proposed rule revision to update Wisconsin's bacteria criteria for surface waters. The goal is to protect recreation in lakes and streams while aligning with EPA standards. The revision includes measuring E. coli as a better predictor of human illness compared to fecal coliform. It also involves revising permit limits for wastewater treatment plants to reflect the new criteria, with an estimated moderate economic impact. The proposal aims to maintain consistency with EPA recommendations to ensure public health protection and eligibility for beach grants.

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Updating Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria in Surface Waters: Protecting Public Health and Consistency with EPA Guidel

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  1. WI Natural Resources BoardOctober 23, 2019 Webcast AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief

  2. Bacteria Water Quality Criteria AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief • Goals: • Protect recreation in our lakes & streams • Consistency with EPA • This Rule Revision: 1. Updates WI’s bacteria criteria for surface waters 2. Revises permit limits for wastewater treatment plants to reflect new criteria

  3. Protect Recreation AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief Bacteria in surface water indicates fecal contamination Causes gastrointestinal illness in swimmers

  4. Updating Bacteria Criteria fecal coliform E. coli AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief • The rule revision changes which type of bacteria we measure to determine risk levels • Since 1973, WI has measured fecal coliform • Large group of bacteria • Now proposing to measure E. coli • Much better predictor of human illness • Recommended by EPA in 1986 • Updates in 2012 • Based on epidemiological studies

  5. Consistency with EPA Kenoshanews.com AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief • State is required to adopt EPA’s most recent (2012) recommendations to maintain eligibility for beach grants • Funds for community beachmonitoring & advisories to protect public health • Proposing E. coli for consistency statewide & with EPA

  6. Revising Permit Limits AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief • Revise permit limits for wastewater treatment plants from fecal coliform to E. coli • Some may need to increase disinfection • About 40% (146 of the state’s 356 facilities) • Moderate economic impact of $2.1 M annually

  7. WI Natural Resources Board AGENDA ITEM 4.A. Marcia Willhite, Water Evaluation Section Chief

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