Friends has been monitoring E. coli in fresh water reaches and Enterococcus in tidally influenced reaches of Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries since 2003. During two sampling events over two separate summer field seasons, E. coli and Enteroccocus concentrations in Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries exceeded EPA criteria for bathing in all sites except those far upstream (at the headwaters) and downstream (at the mouth). Possible sources of this contamination include leaky sewer pipes, and non-human sources such as dogs and water fowl. This continued sampling effort focuses on isolating the source of this contamination, and to the extent possible, determining the source of the contamination. We use this information to educate students, community groups and individual homeowners and engage their participation in developing efforts to improve water quality.
Friends has been monitoring E. coli in fresh water reaches and Enterococcus in tidally influenced reaches of Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries since 2003. During two sampling events over two separate summer field seasons, E. coli and Enteroccocus concentrations in Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries exceeded EPA criteria for bathing in all sites except those far upstream (at the headwaters) and downstream (at the mouth).
The purpose of this project is to identify locations where concentrations of E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria are elevated, and to the extent possible, identify the source (e.g., human, dog, waterfowl) of the contamination.
The long-term objectives of the project are:
1) Identify locations where bacterial contamination is likely to occur by sampling over multiple field seasons.
2) Identify the source of the contamination.
3) Improve water quality by working to reduce bacterial contamination assoicated with human waste and associated pathogens, viruses and endocrine disruptors associated with this waste in the tidal and freshwater sections of creek.
2) Minimize related water quality problems such as low dissolved oxygen and high nitrates that compromise aquatic habitat.
E. coli, Health, Creeks, Enteroccocus, Water Quality, Pollution
Environmental and habitat protection and improvement,
NPS pollution control,
Recreation and public access,
Water quality protection and improvement,
Watershed planning
