OWML: Completed Projects

Developing a method to rapidly estimate fecal-indicator bacteria concentrations in the Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The water quality of the Cuyahoga River within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is a primary concern to park managers and to visitors of the park. The 23-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River within the park receives discharges of storm water, combined-sewer overflows, and incompletely disinfected wastewater from urban areas. These discharges result in a threat to the health of visitors who come into contact with river water (more)...

Testing of analytical methods for pathogens in finished drinking-water supplies
	Certain microbiological pathogens are considered potential biological warfare agents and cause homeland security concerns, especially for drinking-water supplies. Traditional cultural and microscopic methods allow detection of these pathogens; however, the methods take days before any confirmatory answer is available. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (more)...

Distribution patterns and quantity of fecal source tracking markers in reference wastewaters (human and cattle) and in environmental waters of West Virginia and central Ohio

Distribution patterns and quantity of fecal source tracking markers in reference wastewaters (human and cattle) and in environmental waters of West Virginia and central Ohio

Various DNA markers have been proposed to allow association of fecal contamination in water to animal sources. According to many, DNA-based markers represent the future of fecal source tracking. Marker-based source tracking protocols are being improved incrementally and used in various research settings; however, further maturation of these tools, relies partly upon standardization of protocols and understanding of environmental processes. Protocols for (more)...

Escherichia coli and suspended sediment in Berger Ditch and at the Lake Erie beach coves at Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio 2006

A previous project, involving the USGS, the University of Toledo (UT), and the Maumee Bay Bacteria Task Force, investigated the spatial distribution of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination within Maumee Bay and the beach at Maumee Bay State Park (MBSP) (Francy and others, 2005). In this study, elevated E. coli concentrations in and around Berger Ditch implicated it as a principal source of E. coli to MBSP. (more)...

Testing and refining of a predictive model at Lakeshore Park, Ashtabula, Ohio

In Ohio, swim advisories are issued by beach managers if the previous day’s Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentration exceeds the single-sample bathing-water standard of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters (col/100 mL). Because water quality can change dramatically overnight, beach managers may issue advisories that cause unnecessary loss of valuable recreation access or allow swimming when conditions present an unacceptable level of risk. Predictive (more)...