Bacteria Meeting Review

Swimmable & Fishable Waters

Goal of Meeting

1. To gather information on the “human health” aspect of water quality in Chesapeake Bay (swimmable/fishable)

• Beach monitoring

• Monitoring of shellfish growing areas

2. Learn about existing monitoring programs

• Who does it

• What indicators are used

Swimmable Water

Major causes of contamination discussed:

• Overflows at pumping stations and sewage treatment plants• Residential & commercial sewage overflows

• septic and sewer backups/failures/ overflows• Stormwater drainpipes• Pets (esp. dogs)• Boat holding tanks• Wildlife (waterfowl, raccoons, deer, etc.)• Bather contamination• Wastes from pets, farm animals• Improper manure management from pastures or crop fields

*Indicator bacteria can be found in decaying plant matter, soils, and sediments

Enteric organisms - found in fecal waste• Giardia• Cryptosporidium• Campylobacter • Salmonella• E. Coli• Hepatitis A• norovirus

Indigenous organisms - naturally occurring in environment• Vibrio• Mycobacterium

Monti 2007

Swimmable Water

Ideal indicators for microbiological pathogens

• Easy to measure• Fast results• Short lived• Not natural to water

bodies• Relate to sewage

constituents only• Reliable and

reproducible results

Farrell, AAC Health Dept 2007

Indicator organisms

1 Total coliforms2 Fecal coliforms3 Enterococci4 Other potential

indicators, caffeine, hormones, antidepressants etc

5 DNA (not really a screening test)

• Easy to measure 1,2,3• Fast results (none so far)• Short lived (1 and 2)• Not natural to water

bodies (1,2 and 4)• Relate to human sewage

only (1,2 and 4)• Reliable and reproducible

results (none so far)

Farrell, AAC Health Dept 2007

Methods

Two different methods in use for enterococci counts:

• Membrane Filtration• Enterolert

• The two methods may give different results; some controversy here

Swimmable Water

1. Maryland and Virginia monitor beaches throughout the swimming season

• mid-late May to early-mid September

2. Beach Monitoring and Reporting is guided by the Beaches Environmental & Coastal Health Act, 2000.

Swimmable Water

Tier 1:

frequently used beaches or beaches where risk may potentially be elevated by known pollution sources or impacts from rainfall shall be monitored weekly

Tier 2:

Less frequently used beaches, or beaches where risks of potential pollution impacts are minimal, shall be monitored biweekly

Tier 3:

All other beaches shall be monitored monthly.

Swimmable Water

Maryland county-level monitoring, excluding ocean-side counties:

• Weekly: ~39

• Twice monthly: ~44 (beaches or recreational waters)

• Monthly: ~100

Virginia county/district-level monitoring (ocean-side excluded):

• Weekly: 20

Swimmable

Freshwater Marine waters

Geometric mean (from 2 or more samples in same calendar month)

E. coli - 126/100 ml

Geometric mean (from 2 or more samples in same calendar month)

enterococci - 35/100 ml

Single sample maximum

E. coli - 235/100 ml

Single sample maximum

enterococci – 104/100 ml

EPA-guided thresholds for beach monitoring:

Swimmable

Available Data

MD:

Enterococci and e. coli since 2000

Fecal coliform before 2000 (reliable data back to 1985)

VA:

Norfolk beaches (9) monitored since the 1960’s

Additional beaches added 2003-2006.

Officially adopted EPA indicator and thresholds Jan 2003

Fishable

Maryland and VA both follow the guidelines of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (FDA)

Standardized method of classification provided by NSSP

States conduct routine, standardized monitoring

Frequency and criteria thresholds based on classification

Fishable

Bacteriological standards are set by the NSSP

Fecal coliform or total coliform

Variety of standards and monitoring levels, depending on classification• Approved-Remote

• median or geometric mean• ≤ 14 MPN or MF/100 mL fecal coliform, • ≤ 70 MPN/100 mL for total coliform

• Conditionally Approved-PS…• Conditionally Approved-NPS…• Restricted-PS, shellstock source…• Restricted-NPS, shellstock source…• Prohibited…

Fishable

Fishable

Different types of monitoring:

“Adverse Pollution Monitoring”

“Systematic random sampling monitoring.”

Determined by reasons for conditional approval/restriction

Requirements for each are set by NPSS

Fishable

VA data:

2181 Seawater sampling stations in the main tributaries and subtributaries of Tidewater Virginia

Stations are generally sampled once per month

24,166 seawater samples analyzed in 2006

“goldmine of data to be analyzed”

MD data:

~900 stations throughout Maryland waters

Goal is to monitor 2x/month; 6x/year where no oyster resource

Database back to 1970; reliable back to 1985.

“available and very large.”

HABs - VA

1. Monitoring of specific Chesapeake Bay sites for HAB organisms Feb 1 – March 31:

• 18 stations sampled monthly for HABs in the Northern Neck• Dinophysis sp.

April 1 – October 30:• 51 stations are sampled monthly for HABs in water• One mid-summer sediment sample/station for evidence of

cysts• Water quality parameters recorded: temperature, salinity, DO

and turbidity

2. Monitoring of visible blooms any time during the year

3. Notification Hotline

HABs - MD

1. HAB monitoring for composition on a monthly basis

Microscope analysis and molecular probes for HAB community composition

Database back to 1998 for molecular monitoring; at least 1985 for microscope data

___ stations?

2. If HABs are encountered at long-term sites, then they’re reported

3. Notification hotline for public to call in with reports

can result in rapid response; spp identification; toxin analyses on an as-needed basis

Discussion

1. Beach and shellfish monitoring programs are standardized and guided by federal agencies/legislation

Criteria are already developed and are consistent across states

We would need to set goals for a restored bay

Are there/ or how can we determine acceptable levels of criteria violation for a “healthy” bay?