Current Research

Research regarding pathogens in surface water has experienced increased demand in recent years. The Stormwater Research Group at North Carolina State University has a number of studies which will focus on various aspects of pathogen transport and treatment in urban systems. This research will involve:

  1. Evaluating one urbanized watershed in Raleigh, N.C., to determine if a first flush pattern is followed by indicator bacteria in stormwater runoff. This study will help determine the effectiveness of current BMP design standards and sampling techniques. Additionally, a better understanding of pathogen transport and loadings in Urban systems will be gained.

  1. Evaluating 5 stormwater BMPs in Wilmington, N.C., for indicator bacteria removal using grab samples. This study will add to the current knowledge base of BMP pathogen removal effectiveness and will help refine future research goals on this topic.

Laney Stormwater Wetland

Port City Java Bioretention

  1. Evaluating a stormwater wetland in Lenoir, N.C., for indicator bacteria removal, and attempting to correlate data to water temperature, antecedent rainfall, and solar radiation. This study will attempt to look in depth at factors controlling pathogen removal in stormwater wetlands, and will provide a clearer picture of how well these systems remove pathogens.

Lenoir - Site Investigation

Lenoir - Site Investigation

  1. Performing a lab study to isolate controlling variables in bioretention design with regard to pathogen removal. Bioretention may be an effective tool in treating pathogens generated in urbanized watersheds; however, the removal mechanisms present in these systems and the sensitivity of pathogens to these variables are largely untested. This study will enable a more specific set of design standards for bioretention areas installed to treat pathogens.   

 

Previous Research

From July 2003 to December 2007, faculty of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at N.C. State University took part in a monitoring study with the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services - CMSWS). The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of stormwater practices located within Charlotte, in an effort to identify practices that the City of Charlotte may look to promote and utilize in the future due to their effectiveness as stormwater BMPs. Twelve stormwater practices were monitored, including 2 wet ponds, 2 dry detention basins, 2 wetlands, 1 bioretention area, 1 level spreader, and 4 proprietary devices. Enough indicator bacteria samples (at least 6 storm events)) were collected to perform statistical analyses on 9 of these BMPs. This investigation of stormwater BMP performance for indicator bacteria highlighted the variability in indicator bacteria removal performance that can be experienced from BMP to BMP. The results of this study indicated that some stormwater BMPs may be effective at treating indicator bacteria; however, further study is needed to further solidify this conclusion and to investigate which BMP design parameters can be adjusted to enhance indicator bacteria removal.

 

For further information on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services pilot BMP program, click here.