Public Health Effects of Inadequately Managed Stormwater Runoff

Gaffield, Stephen J.; Goo, Robert; Richards, Lynn A.; Jackson, Richard J.

doi:10.2105/ajph.93.9.1527

Cited by 168 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…For biofilters with a depth of around 1 m, Equation (4) implies that the Peclet Number will be around 100. Thus, pollutant transport through biofilters will, in general, be advectively dominated (i.e., P e > 1).…”

Section: Hydraulic Retention Timementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Every year, millions of people recreate at beaches, creeks, lakes, and other water features, generating billions of dollars in economic revenue [2]. However, in the United States, microbial-contamination of recreational waters is one of the top causes of surface water quality impairment [3,4], despite decades of investigation, rule-making, and management efforts across the nation. Stormwater reuse is also becoming an increasingly attractive resource management strategy [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indicator and Pathogen Removal by Low Impact Development Best Management Practices

Peng¹,

Cao

Rippy

et al. 2016

Water

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Microbial contamination in urban stormwater is one of the most widespread and challenging water quality issues in developed countries. Low impact development (LID) best management practices (BMPs) restore pre-urban hydrology by treating and/or harvesting urban runoff and stormwater, and can be designed to remove many contaminants including pathogens. One particular type of LID BMP, stormwater biofilters (i.e., vegetated media filters, also known as bioinfiltration, bioretention, or rain gardens), is becoming increasingly popular in urban environments due to its multiple co-benefits (e.g., improved hydrology, water quality, local climate and aesthetics). However, increased understanding of the factors influencing microbial removal in biofilters is needed to effectively design and implement biofilters for microbial water quality improvement. This paper aims to provide a holistic view of microbial removal in biofilter systems, and reviews the effects of various design choices such as filter media, vegetation, infauna, submerged zones, and hydraulic retention time on microbial removal. Limitations in current knowledge and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

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Section: Hydraulic Retention Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicator and Pathogen Removal by Low Impact Development Best Management Practices

Peng¹,

Cao

Rippy

et al. 2016

Water

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“…In the semi-arid southwest, rapid urbanization and population growth have led to increased use of treated effluent to augment and maintain hydrologic conditions in the watershed resulting in both positive and negative consequences in terms of overall watershed quality [1,2]. Planned water reuse is a common occurrence globally and began as early as 1918 in California and Arizona in order to provide irrigation water for crops [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fecal Coliform and E. coli Concentrations in Effluent-Dominated Streams of the Upper Santa Cruz Watershed

Sanders

Yuan

Pitchford

2013

Water

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This study assesses the water quality of the Upper Santa Cruz Watershed in southern Arizona in terms of fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria concentrations discharged as treated effluent and from nonpoint sources into the Santa Cruz River and surrounding tributaries. The objectives were to (1) assess the water quality in the Upper Santa Cruz Watershed in terms of fecal coliform and E. coli by comparing the available data to the water quality criteria established by Arizona, (2) to provide insights into fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) response to the hydrology of the watershed and (3) to identify if point sources or nonpoint sources are the major contributors of FIB in the stream. Assessment of the available wastewater treatment plant treated effluent data and in-stream sampling data indicate that water quality criteria for E. coli and fecal coliform in recreational waters are exceeded at all locations of the Santa Cruz River. For the wastewater discharge, 13%-15% of sample concentrations exceeded the 800 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 mL sample maximum for fecal coliform and 29% of samples exceeded the full body contact standard of 235 cfu/100 mL established for E. coli; while for the in-stream grab samples, 16%-34% of sample concentrations exceeded the 800 cfu/100 mL sample maximum for fecal coliforms and 34%-75% of samples exceeded the full body contact standard of 235 cfu/100 mL established for E. coli. Elevated fecal coliform and E. coli concentrations were positively correlated with periods of increased streamflow from rainfall. FIB concentrations observed in-stream are significantly greater (p-value < 0.0002) than wastewater treatment plants effluent concentrations; therefore, water quality managers should focus on nonpoint OPEN ACCESSWater 2013, 5 244 sources to reduce overall fecal indicator loads. Findings indicate that fecal coliform and E. coli concentrations are highly variable, especially along urban streams and generally increase with streamflow and precipitation events. Occurrences of peaks in FIB concentrations during baseflow conditions indicate that further assessment of ecological factors such as interaction with sediment, regrowth, and source tracking are important to watershed management.

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“…Increased precipitation has also been linked to outbreaks of waterborne disease (MacKenzie et al 1994;Rose et al 2000;Gaffield et al 2003) and exposure to waters receiving stormwater discharges has been correlated with an elevated risk of illness (Haile et al 1999;Gaffield et al 2003). Development of successful watershed protection or remediation plans to protect the public health requires identification of microbial sources and their transport pathways, with microbial fate and transport models often playing a prominent role (Ferguson et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the presence and partitioning behavior of indicator organisms and Salmonella spp. in an urban watershed

Krometis

Characklis

Drummey

et al. 2009

Journal of Water and Health

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The appropriateness of indicator organisms as surrogates for human pathogens in water quality modeling is dependent on similarities in both presence and transport behavior; however, very little data relating indicator and bacterial pathogen transport behavior in receiving waters is available. In this study observations of presence, partitioning behavior (i.e. association with settleable particles) and removal by upland detention basins were used to assess the suitability of six indicator organisms as surrogates for Salmonella spp. bacteria in an urban watershed.The fecal indicator bacteria (fecal coliforms, E. coli and enterococci) were most closely correlated with Salmonella in terms of presence and partitioning behavior (25-35% associated with settleable particles on average); however, further resolution of the variability associated with Salmonella partitioning is required. Higher removal of particle-associated microbes relative to the total microbial concentration by the detention ponds suggests that sedimentation may be an important removal mechanism. However, large fluctuations in pond performance between storm events and occasional net microbial exports in effluents indicate that these best management practices (BMPs), as currently implemented, will be unlikely to achieve water quality objectives.

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Public Health Effects of Inadequately Managed Stormwater Runoff

Abstract: Although additional data on cost and effectiveness are needed, stormwater management to minimize runoff and associated pollution appears to make sense for protecting public health at the least cost.

Cited by 168 publications

References 51 publications

Indicator and Pathogen Removal by Low Impact Development Best Management Practices

Indicator and Pathogen Removal by Low Impact Development Best Management Practices

Fecal Coliform and E. coli Concentrations in Effluent-Dominated Streams of the Upper Santa Cruz Watershed

Comparison of the presence and partitioning behavior of indicator organisms and Salmonella spp. in an urban watershed

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