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I have been involved
in attempting to address the beach closing issue for several years and
there are various methods for microbial source tracking (MST) with varying costs
depending on accuracy and speed desired. One of the better sources for the
services is the USGS Research Laboratory in the Dunes National Lakeshore.
They have been studying beach closure issues for years including doing MST
regarding bacteria at beaches and predictive modeling. Greg Olyphant of Indiana
University ahs also been involved in predictive model development for
beaches in suthern Lake Michigan. The significant sources for e-coli at a
beach in southern Lake Michigan, in varying amounts depending on each
beach, include tributaries receiving non-point source run-off (Trail
Creek); e-coli which reproduces itself in beach sand; e-coli
in the sand from birds, dogs, etc.; e-coli in algae in the near shore
water; and swimmers. As far as the contibution from the tributaries, studies
regarding stream similar to Trail Creek have shown that most of the bacteria in
the tributaries is of non-human origin. Unfortunately, there is a health risk
from non-human sources (Wendy's hamburgers, Cryptosporidium outbreaks in
Milwaukee and Walkerton, Canada) which amy be even greater than from
human sources.
Gary did MST studies
at one of its beaches and the Little Calumet River, which receives a lot of
CSO discharge, and the percentage of e-coli of human origin at the
beach was less than 10% and in the river the approximate percentages were
10% dry weather, 20% wet weather. The remainder was various wild and
domesticated animals.
James B. Meyer
MEYER & WYATT, P.C.
363 South Lake
Street
Gary, IN 46403
Telephone: (219) 938-0800
Facsimile: (219) 939-3070
E-Mail
Address: jmeyer@meyerwyattpc.com
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Good
Morning,
In the NRDC’s “Testing the Waters”
2007 Report, Washington Park Beach was reported as one of the worst in Indiana
for beach closings on Lake Michigan in 2006. We are concerned about this issue
and desire a proactive approach to control sources other that tributaries and
other long-range problems.
For that reason, we ask for your
membership’s assistance and advice in determining whether the source of E.
coli is human or other mammalian in nature. I seem to recall that there are
DNA tests available for distinguishing broad categories. However, there may be
better tests to assist us.
We are interested in the correct
description for the analysis, what laboratories perform this analysis, and
approximate price range per sample.
Thank
you,
Dan Olson, Plant
Superintendent
Sanitary District of Michigan
City
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