Monitoring of fecal coliform levels in Otsego Lake and its watershed

نویسنده

  • Joyce Green
چکیده

Throughout Otsego Lake's watershed, most residents rely on septic tanks as a source of wastewater disposal. Along the northwest shore of the lake, there are many houses situated closely together. Ground water degradation has occurred in many areas having high densities of septic tanks systems, with the degradation exemplified by high concentrations of nitrates, bacteria and other contaminants (Canter, 1986). Septic systems are an effective means of domestic waste management, when properly sited, designed, installed, and maintained (EPA, 1986). If a septic tank is not working properly, the groundwater and receiving surface waters may be contaminated by fecal material. One common way to test for possible contamination is to culture colonies of fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform are a good indicator of contamination due to their abundance in the intestines of warm­ blooded animals. Their occurrence suggests the presence of potentially pathogenic organisms (APHA, 1989). By testing for fecal coliform in the water, it is possible to see if septic tanks on the shores of Otsego Lake and in the watershed are functioning properly. Fecal contamination is indicative of a source of nutrient loads to a lake (Herring, 2000). An increase in nutrients, including phosphates and nitrates, contribute to the eutrophy oflakes.

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تاریخ انتشار 2010