Waterborne pathogens in urban watersheds.
Russell D Arnone1, Joyce Perdek Walling
1USEPA Region 2, Division of Science and Assessment, Edison, NJ 08837, USA. arnone.russell@epa.gov
Journal of Water and Health
|April 4, 2007
Summary
Urban water bodies face pathogen contamination from sewage and runoff. Developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) requires evaluating pathogen indicators to ensure water quality standards are met for public health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Pathogen contamination of urban water bodies is a significant concern, originating from sources like inadequately treated sewage and stormwater runoff.
- Regulations such as the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act govern pathogen levels in ambient and drinking water, respectively.
- Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are established under the CWA for water bodies exceeding bacterial concentration standards, typically based on indicator organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide resources for developing TMDLs by evaluating pathogen indicators.
- To address the limitations of using only indicator organisms for assessing pathogen contamination.
- To support efforts in restoring water bodies to their intended uses by ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
Main Methods:
- Review and evaluation of various pathogen indicators used in water quality assessments.
- Summary of epidemiological studies to correlate indicator organisms with actual pathogen presence and health risks.
- Analysis of regulatory frameworks, including the Clean Water Act and the development of TMDLs.
Main Results:
- Indicator organisms may not perfectly reflect the presence of specific pathogens, necessitating further evaluation.
- Use impairments can persist even when water bodies meet standards for indicator organisms.
- TMDL development may require considering supplementary indicators or direct pathogen measurements.
Conclusions:
- Accurate assessment of pathogen contamination is crucial for effective water resource management.
- The evaluation of pathogen indicators and epidemiological data is essential for robust TMDL development.
- Achieving water quality standards and restoring water bodies requires a comprehensive approach to pathogen control and monitoring.
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