Background
What are pathogens?
- Pathogens are microorganisms (or viruses) which can cause illness in animals and humans.
- They can be bacteria, protozoa, or viruses.
- Pathogens can enter a human body through consumption of contaminated shellfish, ingestion during water-related recreational activities, and even through skin contact with contaminated waters.
Why should I care?
- Pathogens are a major pollutant in surface waters. In the USEPA National Water Quality Inventory in 2000, 13% of the river and stream miles that were surveyed were impaired by indicator bacteria.
- Pathogens impact the economy by causing closure of shellfish waters and recreational beaches.
- Municipalities are required to reach TMDLs for pathogenic indicator bacteria in impaired waters.
How are pathogens produced in urban environments?
- Leaking sewer pipes, faulty or unmaintained septic systems, and animal (both domestic and wild) feces can all contaminate surface waters.
Why should I care about stormwater and pathogens?
- Stormwater is a source of pathogens in urban environments
- Many studies have shown that pathogen concentrations in streams increase during storm events
How do we know if a given water body is contaminated with pathogens?
- Testing for pathogens can be costly and time consuming
- Typically, the potential existence of pathogens is tested for using indicator bacteria such as fecal coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus.
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