Volunteer collecting a sample.

Barb Liukkonen, Water Resources Education Coordinator, University of Minnesota Extension Service and Minnesota Sea Grant, (612) 625-9256

When beaches are closed because they’re unsafe, bacteria make the news. Bacteria have also been implicated across Minnesota as the cause of impairment in many lakes and rivers. Natural resource professionals and people like you are increasingly concerned about bacteria and are interested in how to assess whether your lake or stream has a problem.

To help volunteers interested in monitoring bacteria, we secured a grant from the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System (CSREES) water quality program to investigate the accuracy and reliability of inexpensive test kits. While there are many E. coli bacteria test kits available on the market, there has been no independent, comparative study to determine if, or how well, they actually work. In 2004, volunteers in Indiana and Iowa collected samples, analyzed for E. coli bacteria using six different test methods, and sent samples to certified analytical labs to verify their results. Based on extensive statistical analysis, our regional team identified two methods that ranked high in user-friendliness and highest in accuracy and reliability.

Volunteer processing a sample.

During 2005 and 2006, volunteers in MN (and WI, MI, OH) will participate in our research project by using those two methods and sending samples to a certified lab. They’ll be monitoring one stream on a weekly basis from May- September, after participating in a training workshop to learn how to collect and analyze samples. If you are interested in being part of the project, and would be willing to make the commitment, please contact me.

Why are we concerned about E. coli bacteria?

Bacteria – single-celled organisms found in all environments on earth – perform many critical ecological functions. Most bacteria are not pathogens, or, in other words, they don’t cause disease. However, bacteria are commonly used as indicators that pathogens may be present from a source such as human or animal (livestock, pets, wildlife) waste.

Fecal coliform bacteria are found in the intestines and feces of warm-blooded animals. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of coliform bacteria, of which a subset may cause disease. Because it is easy and inexpensive to analyze for coliform bacteria, they are often used as indicators that other harmful bacteria may be present. When fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria are present in water, it is an indicator that waste or wastewater is reaching your lake or stream.

To help reduce bacterial loading to your favorite lake or stream, follow these practices:

• make sure your septic system is properly designed, installed, and maintained
• pick up after your pet
• don’t encourage waterfowl to congregate by feeding them
• fence livestock away from the water

Posted in Lakes |