Leaching of Escherichia coli from sheep faeces during simulated rainfall events

Sheep faeces are known to harbour to a high concentration of microbial indicators and pathogens. These can be released under rainfall and may result in contamination of waterways, potentially leading to illnesses in humans. A study was designed to determine the concentration of Escherichia coli released from fresh and aged (0-21 days old) ovine faeces. In summer and autumn, ovine faeces were subjected to simulated rainfall and the resultant run-off collected. Escherichia coli were enumerated in both the run-off and the faeces. In autumn total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity were also monitored in the run-off. This study provides quantitative evidence that E. coli in aged sheep faeces is mobilized by rainfall events. Simulated rainfall events released between 10(3) and 10(4) CFU E. coli ml(-1) throughout the 21 days. TSS or turbidity with fresh faeces may be indicative of microbial contamination, but from aged faeces, this may not be the case.

This study confirms that faecal bacteria can be released from fresh and aged ovine faeces under stimulated rainfall. It demonstrates that aged faeces remain a source of faecal bacteria, which under rainfall can release the bacteria and result in pollution of waterways. This study aids in our understanding of the potential impact of grazing sheep on the microbial quality of surface waters in NZ.