Impact of Leaky Sewers on Groundwater Quality

Wolf, Leif; Held, I. W.; Eiswirth, M.; Hötzl, H.

doi:10.1002/aheh.200400538

Cited by 66 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Accidental ingestion or inhalation of such polluted waters can cause a variety of enteric and nonenteric illnesses in swimmers and other recreational water users (4). Raw and treated wastewater can be released into the waterways from defective wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (5), broken sewage pipes, malfunctioning septic systems (6), stormwater runoff (7), and during extreme weather events, such as flooding (8). Outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Australia from recreational water exposure are far more common than those attributed to drinking water.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-Comparison of Human Wastewater-Associated Molecular Markers in Relation to Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Enteric Viruses in Recreational Beach Waters

Hughes

Beale

Dennis

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Detection of human wastewater contamination in recreational waters is of critical importance to regulators due to the risks posed to public health. To identify such risks, human wastewater-associated microbial source tracking (MST) markers have been developed. At present, however, a greater understanding of the suitability of these markers for the detection of diluted human wastewater in environmental waters is necessary to predict risk. Here, we compared the process limit of detection (PLOD) and process limit of quantification (PLOQ) of six human wastewater-associated MST markers Among the six MST markers tested, HF183 was the most sensitive measure of human fecal pollution and was quantifiable up to dilutions of 10 Ϫ6 and 10 Ϫ4 for beach water samples seeded with raw and secondary-treated wastewater, respectively. Other markers and enteric viruses were detected at various dilutions (10 Ϫ1 to 10 Ϫ5 ). These MST markers, FIB, and enteric viruses were then quantified in beach water (n ϭ 12) and sand samples (n ϭ 12) from South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia, to estimate the levels of human fecal pollution. Of the 12 sites examined, beach water and sand samples from several sites had quantifiable concentrations of HF183 and PMMoV markers. Overall, our results indicate that while HF183 is the most sensitive measure of human fecal pollution, it should be used in conjunction with a conferring viral marker to avoid overestimating the risk of gastrointestinal illness.IMPORTANCE MST is an effective tool to help utilities and regulators improve recreational water quality around the globe. Human fecal pollution poses significant public health risks compared to animal fecal pollution. Several human wastewaterassociated markers have been developed and used for MST field studies. However, a head-to-head comparison in terms of their performance to detect diluted human fecal pollution in recreational water is lacking. In this study, we cross-compared the performance of six human wastewater-associated markers in relation to FIB and enteric viruses in beach water samples seeded with raw and secondary-treated wastewater. The results of this study will provide guidance to regulators and utilities on the appropriate application of MST markers for tracking the sources of human fecal pollution in environmental waters and confer human health risks.KEYWORDS microbial source tracking, human wastewater, fecal indicator bacteria, beach water, enteric viruses

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confidence: 99%

Cross-Comparison of Human Wastewater-Associated Molecular Markers in Relation to Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Enteric Viruses in Recreational Beach Waters

Hughes

Beale

Dennis

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Many authors compare solute concentrations in urban and rural areas (Barrett et al, 1997. Major ions, specially those conservative as halogens (especially F and Br), Boron, EDTA (indicative of sewage water) or Zinc (indicative of urban runoff) are sometimes suggested (Carrera, 1997;Trauth and Xanthopoulos, 1997;Adar and Nativ, 2003;Dahan et al, 2004;Wolf et al, 2004;Morris et al, 2006;Osenbruck et al, 2007). Another option is the use of combinations of species that remain unaffected by reactions.…”

Section: Tracer Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An approach to identify urban groundwater recharge

Vàzquez-Suñé

Carrera

Tubau

et al. 2010

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

100

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Abstract. Evaluating the proportion in which waters from different origins are mixed in a given water sample is relevant for many hydrogeological problems, such as quantifying total recharge, assessing groundwater pollution risks, or managing water resources. Our work is motivated by urban hydrogeology, where waters with different chemical signature can be identified (losses from water supply and sewage networks, infiltration from surface runoff and other water bodies, lateral aquifers inflows, ...). The relative contribution of different sources to total recharge can be quantified by means of solute mass balances, but application is hindered by the large number of potential origins. Hence, the need to incorporate data from a large number of conservative species, the uncertainty in sources concentrations and measurement errors. We present a methodology to compute mixing ratios and end-members composition, which consists of (i) Identification of potential recharge sources, (ii) Selection of tracers, (iii) Characterization of the hydrochemical composition of potential recharge sources and mixed water samples, and (iv) Computation of mixing ratios and reevaluation of endmembers. The analysis performed in a data set from samples of the Barcelona city aquifers suggests that the main contributors to total recharge are the water supply network losses (22%), the sewage network losses (30%), rainfall, concentrated in the non-urbanized areas (17%), from runoff infiltration (20%), and the Besòs River (11%). Regarding species, halogens (chloride, fluoride and bromide), sulfate, total nitrogen, and stable isotopes ( 18 O, 2 H, and 34 S) behaved quite conservatively. Boron, residual alkalinity, EDTA and Zn did not. Yet, including these species in the computations did not affect significantly the proportion estimations.

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“…These focus observation wells were intensively monitored for a wide range of marker species (e.g., iodated contrast media, pharmaceuticals) and these results are documented in Wolf et al [14]. The focus observation wells were compared with two other wells located in the city area which were expected to provide information about the general urban microbiological background.…”

Section: Sampling Locationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the screening for other marker species documented in [14] it also became evident that boron concentrations increased, on average, by almost 50 % in 21 groundwater wells in the city of Rastatt. …”

Section: Groundwater Levels and Physicochemical Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiological Condition of Urban Groundwater in the Vicinity of Leaky Sewer Systems

Paul

Wolf

Fund

et al. 2004

Acta hydrochim. hydrobiol.

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The possible deterioration of the microbiological quality of groundwater due to leaky sewer systems was investigated in a medium‐sized city (Rastatt) in SW‐Germany. Specially constructed focus observation wells drilled close to leaky sewers have been compared with the background observation wells in urban and rural areas. The sampling was performed in March (shallow depth of groundwater) and in July and October (deep groundwater table). It included the measurement of ammonium ions, temperature, electric conductivity, oxygen, and the depth of the groundwater table. Coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci were enumerated as indicator organisms for wastewater contamination. In addition, the total number of colony forming units was determined. Bacterial counts of coliforms and E. coli generally increased during the course of the investigation (March to October). This may have been caused either by a slightly increased groundwater temperature (higher activity rates) or by a higher proportion of sewage in the urban groundwater system as a result of the dry season (summer). The contamination with faecal indicator bacteria was greater adjacent to leakage locations. In addition, elevated concentrations of ammonium ions were observed at these areas. The results provide evidence that leaky sewer systems elevate faecal indicator concentrations in groundwater with associated potential health risk where such waters are used for potable water supply.

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Impact of Leaky Sewers on Groundwater Quality

Cited by 66 publications

References 19 publications

Cross-Comparison of Human Wastewater-Associated Molecular Markers in Relation to Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Enteric Viruses in Recreational Beach Waters

Cross-Comparison of Human Wastewater-Associated Molecular Markers in Relation to Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Enteric Viruses in Recreational Beach Waters

An approach to identify urban groundwater recharge

Microbiological Condition of Urban Groundwater in the Vicinity of Leaky Sewer Systems

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