Tracking Sources and Fate of E . Coli Contamination at a Lake of the Ozarks State Park Public Beach

In 2007, the State of Missouri and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) regarding overflows. In August 2011, the Department of Justice filed a consent decree requiring MSD to spend a minimum $4.7 billion over the next 23 years to address the issue of overflows and other sewer system improvements. This presentation focuses on how MSD is reducing sewer overflows, including the use of green infrastructure. has more than 25 years of experience with MSD, where his prior positions include director/assistant director of operations, director/assistant director/manager of wastewater. In his current position, Jeff is responsible for overseeing all district operations and managing all financial, leadership and regulatory responsibilities of the District. Prior to joining MSD, he was an Environmental Protection Engineer with the Illinois EPA. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now MS&T), a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is responsible for the interception, collection and treatment of wastewater, as well as stormwater management. MSD serves all of St. Louis City and approximately 80 percent of St. Louis County. MSD currently operates seven wastewater treatment facilities, treating a combined average of 370 million gallons of sewage per day.. Abstract: Grand Glaize Beach, at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park (LOSP), is a popular vacationing spot for many Missourians. On several occasions E. Coli concentrations have exceeded standards set by Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Exceedances lead to beach closures which not only represent a public health threat but are also detrimental to the local economy and the public's perception of the lake's general water quality. In a collaborative effort between Missouri S&T, USGS and MDNR, an in-depth, 2-summer study was conducted which included collection of over 1,000 water samples in less than 8 weeks, runoff analysis, sediment suspension studies and two intensive dye traces. Preliminary results indicate correlation between beach use and E. Coli concentrations attributed to contamination by resident geese and suspension of E. Coli-laden sediments by beach users. Runoff analysis shows significant E. Coli loading into surface waters, constituting another input under rainfall events. Future work includes utilizing current data from two dye tracer tests to calibrate a vertically-averaged, finite element model of E. Coli flow and transport and performing host-specific PCR source tracking of Bacteroides, to be …