Effects of dispersed recreational activities on the microbiological quality of forest surface water

Abstract

The microbiological quality of forest surface waters in the Greenwater River watershed was examined to investigate the influence of heavy motorized camping in an area with no sanitary facilities. Indicator densities increased during weekend human-use periods when compared to weekdays. Increases in indicator densities were also noted downstream from heavily used camping areas when compared to upstream sites. Seasonal, weekly, and diurnal fluctuations in indicator densities were observed. This study suggests that potential health hazards exist in this watershed during periods of human use.

Landscape, Water Quality, and Weather Factors Associated With an Increased Likelihood of Foodborne Pathogen Contamination of New York Streams Used to Source Water for Produce Production

“…Salmonella isolation was positively associated with both human fecal contamination and proxies for increased human presence in upstream areas [proximity to campgrounds, developed open space (e.g., parks)], which is consistent with the existing literature (e.g., Christensen et al, 1978;Varness et al, 1978;Dasher et al, 1981;Hendry and Leggatt, 1982;Flack et al, 1988;Sassoubre et al, 2011;Walters et al, 2011;Vereen et al, 2013). Previous research has shown that increases in recreational activities (e.g., camping, hiking, swimming) can affect the microbial quality of downstream surface water sources (Christensen et al, 1978;Varness et al, 1978;Dasher et al, 1981;Hendry and Leggatt, 1982;Flack et al, 1988), which may explain the association between proximity to campgrounds and Salmonella isolation reported here. Interestingly, we also found a positive association between proximity to poultry operations and Salmonella isolation; although too few samples tested positive for the avian FST marker to perform statistical analyses, the odds of detecting Salmonella when the avian FST marker was present was 1.5 times greater than when the marker was not detected.…”

Recreational water quality analyses of the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon

“…Based on this profile, concentrations of -10 and s20 FC 100 ml-' in the river and tributaries, respectively, could be expected. These data established a baseline contamination level for Grand Canyon during drought and are comparable to those reported for high-quality mountain streams, in which FC densities were generally -20 FC 100 ml-' (31,39). TC densities in mountain streams have also been found to be similar to those in the canyon during the 1980 nonstorm flow period (31)(32)(33)39).…”

Survival of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci in storm drain sediment

“…The survival of high concentrations of these bacteria in the sediments is beginning to be recognized as a possible health hazard (Bonde, 1967;Burton et al, 1987;Gary and Adams, 1985;Goyal et al, 1977Goyal et al, , 1979Gerba and McLeod, 1976;Hendricks, 1971;LaLiberti and Grimes, 1982;McDonald et al, 1982;O'Malley et al, 1982;Rittenberg et al, 1958;Savage, 1905;Van Donsel and Geldreich, 1971;Varness et al, 1978). Grimes (1975), Matson et aL (1978), and Erkenbrecher (1981) caution about activities (e.g.…”