An Assessment of the Impact of Inland Surface Water Input to the Bacteriological Quality of Coastal Waters

Wyer, Mark D.; Jackson, Gerry F.; Kay, David; Yeo, Janette; Dawson, Helen M.

doi:10.1111/j.1747-6593.1994.tb01137.x

Cited by 26 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Unfortunately, 500 metres upstream of this site, the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority discharges untreated human sewage and animal faeces from the main abattoir onto an open field close to the banks of the river. The loading of ruminant faeces with faecal coliforms and enterococci is similar to that of humans (Standridge et al 1979;Yogasundram et al 1989;Wyer et al 1994;Kudva et al 1997;Jones & Obiri-Danso 1999;). In addition, effluents from three major food industries (Ghana Breweries, Guinness Ghana, Coca-Cola Bottling) and over 30 wood processing industries discharge their untreated waste into the Subin close to the Asago site.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urban river in Kumasi, Ghana

Obiri‐Danso

Weobong

Jones

2005

Journal of Water and Health

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The aim of this study was to assess the influence of urban waste, sewage and other human centred activities on the microbiological quality of the river Subin, which flows through the metropolis of Kumasi, Ghana, and serves as drinking water for communities downstream. Three sites, Racecourse, Asafo and Asago, on the Subin were monitored over a year for total coliforms, faecal coliforms, enterococci and biochemical oxygen demand. Bacterial indicator numbers (geometric mean 100 ml(-1)) varied from 1.61 x 10(9) to 4.06 x 10(13) for total coliforms, 9.75 x 10(8) to 8.98 x 10(12) for faecal coliforms and 1.01 x 10(2) to 6.57 x 10(6) for enterococci. There was a consistent increase in bacterial loading as the river flows from the source (Racecourse) through Kumasi. Bacterial numbers were significantly (p < or = 0.05) higher during the rainy season compared with the dry (harmattan) season. The biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 8 mg l(-1) at the source of the river to 419 mg l(-1) at Asago; none of the sites achieved internationally accepted standards for water quality. The River Subin becomes grossly polluted as it flows through Kumasi and at Asago, a rural community downstream of Kumasi that abstracts water from the river for drinking, this probably contributes to the observed high levels of diarrhoeal disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urban river in Kumasi, Ghana

Obiri‐Danso

Weobong

Jones

2005

Journal of Water and Health

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“…High rainfall leads to increased flow rates within rivers and streams and an increase in agricultural run‐off ( van Donsel et al . 1967 ; Doran & Linn 1979; Wyer et al . 1994 ; Jones & Hobbs 1996; Stanley et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Waterfowl have been shown to be substantive reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria for rivers ( Yogasundram et al . 1989 ; Wyer et al . 1994 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and seasonality of microbial indicators and thermophilic campylobacters in two freshwater bathing sites on the River Lune in northwest England

1999

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K . O BI R I-DA N SO AN D K. JO N ES . 1999. Two freshwater bathing sites, the Crook O'Lune and the University Boathouse, on the River Lune in the north-west of England, were monitored over a 2 year period for the faecal indicators, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci, the pathogens, Salmonella and Campylobacter, and compliance with the EU Directive on Bathing Water Quality. Faecal indicator numbers showed no seasonal variation, with numbers in the bathing season similar to those in the non-bathing season. They were consistently above the EU Guideline and Imperative standards so that if the EU Bathing Water Quality Directive (76/160/EEC) were applied, neither site would comply. Faecal indicator numbers in the sediments were an order of magnitude higher than in the overlying water. Campylobacter numbers showed seasonal variation in the water with higher counts in winter than in the summer, although numbers were low. Higher numbers were found in the sediments but there was no seasonal variation. Analysis of various inputs showed that indicators and campylobacters came from a mixture of sources, namely a sewage treatment works, agricultural run-off, streams and mallards. Microbial numbers in the water at the Crook O'Lune, which is closer to the sources of pollution, were twice those at the Boathouse. In the sediments they were six to eight times higher. Faecal coliforms were all identified as Escherichia coli of which 80% were a single biotype. Faecal streptococci were all enterococci of which 55% were E. avium, 38% E. faecalis and 7% E. durans. Salmonella was not isolated from either the water column or the sediments. Campylobacters were mainly Camp. jejuni, followed by Camp. coli, UPTC and Camp. lari.

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“…However, a series of studies (Wyer et al 1996, 1998; Kay et al 1999; Baudart et al 2000) have demonstrated that whereas urban wastewater dominates faecal loads to bathing waters during low flow conditions, catchment sources of faecal pollution become the dominant input following rainfall events. These catchment sources of faecal pollution may include sewage sludge and livestock wastes applied to land; animal faeces deposited on land by grazing animals; discharges from septic tank systems; and defaecation by indigenous fauna (Wyer et al 1994, 1996; Geldreich 1996; Jones and Obiri‐Danso 1999; Obiri‐Danso and Jones 1999). The observed link between rainfall, channel flow conditions and the dominance of diffuse sources of faecal pollution in catchment budgets suggests a key role for hydrological pathways that respond rapidly to storm events.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overland flow transport of pathogens from agricultural land receiving faecal wastes

Tyrrel

Quinton

2003

Journal of Applied Microbiology

197

153

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Considerable investment has been made in recent years in improvements to the microbiological quality of urban wastewater discharges to surface waters, particularly in coastal towns, with the aim of reducing the exposure of bathers and surfers to gastrointestinal pathogens. As this source of pollution has come under greater control, attention has started to focus on diffuse catchment sources of faecal contamination which have been shown to be dominant during high river flows associated with storm events. This association with storm events suggests that rapidly responding hydrological pathways such as overland flow are likely to be important. The aim of this paper is to establish the current state of knowledge of pathogen transport processes in overland flow. In addition, the paper will attempt to convey the way that soil erosion science may aid our understanding of this environmental problem. The scale and nature of faecal waste applications to land in the UK is briefly reviewed, with data presented on both livestock slurry and manure, and human sewage sludge. Particular emphasis is placed on factors influencing the likelihood of pathogens making their way from infected livestock and humans to the soil surface, and therefore the chances of them being available for transport by overland flow. The literature relating to pathogen transport in overland flow is reviewed. Existing pathogen transport models treat pathogens as particles and link pathogen transport models to pathogen die-off kinetics. Such models do not attempt to describe the interactions that may occur between pathogens and soil and waste particles. Although conceptual models describing the possible states in which pathogen transport may occur have been proposed, an understanding of the factors controlling the partitioning of the microorganisms between the different states is only just beginning to emerge. The apparent poor performance of overland flow mitigation measures such as grass buffer strips in controlling the movement of faecal indicators highlights the need for a better understanding the dynamics of microbial transport so that better management approaches may be developed. Examples of on-going research into overland flow transport processes are briefly described and gaps in knowledge identified.

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An Assessment of the Impact of Inland Surface Water Input to the Bacteriological Quality of Coastal Waters

Cited by 26 publications

References 7 publications

Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urban river in Kumasi, Ghana

Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urban river in Kumasi, Ghana

Distribution and seasonality of microbial indicators and thermophilic campylobacters in two freshwater bathing sites on the River Lune in northwest England

Overland flow transport of pathogens from agricultural land receiving faecal wastes

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