Sludge Watch ==> RUSDA ARS Study: Presence and Transport of Escherichia Coli and Salmonella Spp. i

[Maureen Reilly]

ARS Study  Title: Presence and Transport of Escherichia Coli and Salmonella
Spp. in Soils of a Municipal  Park Irrigated with Reclaimed Wastewater


http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=208325
"We are monitoring soil and water quality in a municipal city park in
Maricopa, Arizona, where turf has been irrigated with reclaimed  water since 
the
opening of the park in September 2006.

Sampling of the soil and irrigation water allows us to identify the
biological changes in irrigated areas that are directly related to the 
reclaimed
water quality.Over the first six months of the study, the presence of 
Salmonella
in the irrigation water was correlated (r = 0.78) to air  temperature,
decreasing from 380 CFU mL -1  in September to 150 CFU mL-1 in December.  
During the
same time period, Salmonella increased from 14 CFU  g-1 to nearly 600 CFU 
g-1
in surface soils (0-5 cm) and increased in deeper soils (10+  cm) from 1 CFU
g-1 to 130 CFU g-1.


This may indicate that Salmonella are surviving in soil after application,
>and that some bacterial transport downward in the soils may be  occurring."



...................................

Research Project: Reuse of Treated Municipal Waste Water for Irrigation
Location: Water Management and Conservation Research

Title: Presence and Transport of Escherichia Coli and Salmonella Spp. in 
Soils of a Municipal Park Irrigated with Reclaimed Wastewater


Authors

Mclain, Jean
Rock, Channah
Williams, Clinton


Submitted to: Southwest Hydrology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: January 11, 2007
Publication Date: N/A


Technical Abstract: Increasing demands on limited water resources have made 
wastewater reclamation for municipal irrigation an attractive option for 
extending available water supplies. However, there remain public health 
concerns about the potential risks of human contact with irrigated turf 
areas. We are monitoring soil and water quality in a municipal city park in 
Maricopa, Arizona, where turf has been irrigated with reclaimed water since 
the opening of the park in September 2006. Sampling of the soil and 
irrigation water allows us to identify the biological changes in irrigated 
areas that are directly related to the reclaimed water quality. The presence 
and transport of E. coli and Salmonella in soils and irrigation water are 
being monitored using Quantitative Real-Time PCR (Q-PCR). Over the first six 
months of the study, the presence of Salmonella in the irrigation water was 
correlated (r = 0.78) to air temperature, decreasing from 380 CFU mL -1 in 
September to 150 CFU mL-1 in December. During the same time period, 
Salmonella increased from 14 CFU g-1 to nearly 600 CFU g-1 in surface soils 
(0-5 cm) and increased in deeper soils (10+ cm) from 1 CFU g-1 to 130 CFU 
g-1. This may indicate that Salmonella are surviving in soil after 
application, and that some bacterial transport downward in the soils may be 
occurring. Q-PCR and Bacteroides-specific primers are being used to both 
quantify and differentiate sources of bacteria (human vs. bovine vs. other) 
in the irrigation water and soils. By identifying the sources of bacteria 
and the environmental factors controlling E. coli and Salmonella survival 
and transport within the parkland, this work will reveal potential impacts, 
including ecological benefits, of using reclaimed water for municipal 
irrigation.



Project Team

Williams, Clinton
McLain, Jean







Publications

   Publications






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Last Modified: 06/17/2007