Fecal Coliform. Ugh!

No one really wants to think about it but it does manage to get into the water.  Fecal coliform is waste from humans and animals.So, how in the world does THAT get into the water and why don’t we see it? 

When you flush your toilet the water goes through the sewer lines.  Sometimes an older sewer will leak or the sewer lines will not be connected properly.  Some septic systems filter the water through sand and pipe it onto the ground where the rain washes it into the streams.  In an older neighborhood, you are more likely to have problems because many of the older sewer systems do not work in a way that is best for the environment.

The state now uses a system called biomonitoring to measure the amount of insect larvae living on the bottom of streams.  It is harder now to detect the source of pollution because it is usually coming from many smaller sources like leaky sewer lines and cow manure.  Fecal coliform is difficult to measure because it grows quickly, settles on the bottom of the stream, and then gets swirled up again. 

In order to figure out what is happening in a stream, you really need to be a water detective.

Let’s see how you are doing so far.

1. Fecal coliform is: 

a.      A new type of fish
b.     Another name for human and animal waste
c.     Something that lives in trees
d.     A benefit to the environment

If you choose B you are well on your way to learning more about the water you drink!

2.  If you smell something funny around a stream, you should:

a.      Hold your nose and run away
b.     Go for a swim immediately
c.     Look for brownish gray fuzz that could indicate a sewer leak
d.     Ignore it and maybe it will go away

Well you could do A, B, or D but I would not recommend it.  If you want to be a water detective, look around and see what you discover.  There is a reason for the smell and YOU might be the person to discover something that should not be there.  If you do, call Public Works and report it.  Maybe you have stumbled upon a sewer leak that is fouling up the water.  The fish will be happy that you took the time to do something about it!!!
*Home

*Globs of fats and oils (comes from our favorite restaurants)

*Copper sediment (comes from the break pads of cars)

*Fertilizer (food for the plants)