Coliforms in western and eastern lakes

[Bobby J]

The total coliform count exceed EPA standards. This is a one time testing so scientifically speaking not really valid. But, I would like to believe here on 30A and especially our rare Dune lakes we want to make sure our lakes rise above EPA standards.
Maybe Sand Angel, can chime in. She has the science background.

 

[Sand Angel]

Fecal counts are OK, but total coliforms are high. The EPA standard for total coliforms in a single sample is 2400 or less, or an average of 1000 monthly. Also, keep in mind that these tests were done on Tuesday morning after the rain Monday evening cleared and cooled the water. The results aren't terrible, but a good reminder to pay attention to the water quality, especially where small children are swimming.

The tests will be repeated this weekend, and over time we will have a much better idea about water quality in the lakes.

 

[Bobby J]

Sand Angel,

Could you in layman's terms explain why a high coliform count is a concern?

 

[Hop]

Sand Angel,

Could you in layman's terms explain why a high coliform count is a concern?

...and what causes coliform to be high?...sewage? fertilizer runoff? how can we fix the levels?

 

[NotDeadYet]

Do we still have homes on septic tanks around the lakes?? Or in the watershed for the lakes??

 

[pgurney]

Total coliforms is an indicator of bacteria in general, bacteria that is natural, can be in the soils and sediments, on leaves, rotting vegetation. Fecal coliform and E. coli. are the better indicators (especially E. coli) of the presence of pathogenic bacteria related to fecal matter. Many jurisdictions have gotten away from measuring total coliforms and have gone to measuring the smaller subsets of fecal or E. coli. So in that regard, the results look good.

 

[dmarie]

The total coliform count exceed EPA standards. This is a one time testing so scientifically speaking not really valid. But, I would like to believe here on 30A and especially our rare Dune lakes we want to make sure our lakes rise above EPA standards.
Maybe Sand Angel, can chime in. She has the science background.

duh?!! I totally get it now. Thanks for clarifying Bobby.

 

[Bobby J]

Total coliforms is an indicator of bacteria in general, bacteria that is natural, can be in the soils and sediments, on leaves, rotting vegetation. Fecal coliform and E. coli. are the better indicators (especially E. coli) of the presence of pathogenic bacteria related to fecal matter. Many jurisdictions have gotten away from measuring total coliforms and have gone to measuring the smaller subsets of fecal or E. coli. So in that regard, the results look good.

I surely do not know how to read the results but it looks as if the concern is not the Total Coliform count as much as it is the total being Enterobacter?

Sand Angel, Could you define what your take on these initial results mean to you.

 

[Sand Angel]

Total coliforms is an indicator of bacteria in general, bacteria that is natural, can be in the soils and sediments, on leaves, rotting vegetation. Fecal coliform and E. coli. are the better indicators (especially E. coli) of the presence of pathogenic bacteria related to fecal matter. Many jurisdictions have gotten away from measuring total coliforms and have gone to measuring the smaller subsets of fecal or E. coli. So in that regard, the results look good.

This is true. We looked at total coliforms mainly because of the number of small children playing in the lakes. Fecal coliforms/E. coli are more likely to make most people sick. Enterobacters typically do not affect healthy people at all but can cause skin and tissue infections in open cuts or wounds. Also, small children or people with weak immune systems are more susceptible to infections from these bacteria. We are not posting these results to suggest that there is a problem with the lakes but to share information.

 

[Kurt]

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance does regular testing and sends out results to the media. The results are always clear except for a couple of spots after heavy rains. There are still septic tanks on Western Lake, Eastern Lake and several others. There are still septic tanks and drain fields on the beach in Gulf Trace.

I wish that Regional Utilities would wave the fee to hook up to sewer for these homes. And even give them a credit for the fee that would need to go to a plumber to perform the actual changeover from the street to the home.

I would be willing to use tax money to do it. Although I think it would be fantastic PR for Regional Utilities to cover it.