Survival of E. coli in Soil and Water

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Door County Beach Monitoring Pollution Source
Identification Interim Report
Door County Soil and Water Conservation
Department Vinni Chomeau Door County Public
Health Department
Grant Funding Provided by
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Contributors Report Contributors Greg Kleinheinz
- UW Oshkosh Microbiology Rhonda Kolberg -
Door County Public Health Department Colleen
McDermott - UW Oshkosh Microbiology Meredith B.
Nevers - US Geological SurveyLake Michigan
Ecological Research Station William Schuster -
Door County Soil and Water Conservation
Department Richard L. Whitman -US Geological
SurveyLake Michigan Ecological Research
Station Primary Financial Contributor Wisconsin
Coastal Management Program Additional Financial
Contributors City of Sturgeon Bay Clark Lake
Advancement Association Door County Chamber of
Commerce Door County Public Health Department
Door County Property Owners Town of Liberty
Grove Town of Sevastopol Town of Sturgeon
Bay Village of Ephraim Sturgeon Bay Jaycees
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• Contributors
• In-kind Supporters
• Bay Shore Property Owners Association
• Bay Shore Outdoor Store
• Lyle Burnt
• Crossroads at Big Creek
• Door County Sanitarian Department
• Door County Parks Department
• Fish Creek Watershed Study Group
• Newport State Park
• Peninsula State Park
• Rock Island State Park
• Judy and Albert Scherb
• Ship Yard Marina
• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Microbiology
  Department
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Water
  Institute
• US Coast Guard Sturgeon Bay Station
• US Geological Survey - Lake Michigan Ecological
  Research Station

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Door County Interim Beach Report

• Current findings in the beach contamination
  source identification project.
• All findings are subject to change based on
• Additional statistical analysis that will occur
  on the current data in the spring of 2005, and
• Additional data that will be collected and
  analyzed in 2005 and 2006.

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Door County Beach Advisories Closures 2003
-2004

• Advisories 235 MPN E. coli --EPA standard
• probability that 8 out of 1,000 people will
  become ill.
• Closures 1,000 MPN E. coli -- EPA standard
• probability that 14 out of 1,000 people will
  become ill.
• 2003 Beaches remained advised/closed for 2 days -
  Total Samples 1,614
• Advisories 63
• 4 over 235 MPN
• Closures 11
• 2004 Beaches remained advised/closed for 1 day -
  Total samples 1,099
• Advisories 84
• 7.7 over 235 MPN
• Closures 17
• 1.5 over 1,000 MPN

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Door County Beach Monitoring Mean E. coli MPN/100
ml

• E. coli tests max out at 2,419 MPN, so the mean
  does not represent any E. coli counts over
• 2, 419 MPN.
• E. Coli counts of 2,419 MPN occurred at
• Egg Harbor 1X
• Murphy Park 3X
• Nicolet Beach 1X
• Sister Bay Beach -1X

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Beach Water Sample Distribution of E. coli MPN
Levels
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Beach Water Sample Distribution of E. coli MPN
Levels
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Soil and Water Conservation Department Source
Identification Methods 2003-2004

• 28 Beaches
• Physical Characteristics
• Wind and wave action
• Rain data
• Bird counts, and waste survey
• Algae distribution
• Current direction
• Near shore morphology
• Substrate type
• Watershed mapping and land use
• Impervious surface percentages
• Proximity to parking lots, storm water outlets
  and other facilities

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Wind/Waves Effects Comparison among Door County
beaches indicated that wind direction influenced
E. coli counts at beaches on the Green Bay side
of the peninsula. E. coli counts were lower
during an offshore wind Onshore winds are
typically associated with higher E. coli counts
due to the resuspension of sediments along the
shore that likely contain high counts of E. coli.
Wave height was positively correlated with E.
coli counts at all beaches- as the wave height
increases the E. coli counts are likely to
increase.
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BIOLOGICAL FACTORS Bird Populations Algal Mass
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Monitors counted the number of birds on the beach
at the time of every sample.
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Gulls, Geese, or Other?

• High Priority Beaches
• 80 gulls
• 15 geese
• 5 other
• Medium Priority Beaches
• 90 gulls
• 5 geese
• 5 other
• Low Priority Beaches
• 80 gulls
• 15 geese
• 5 other

• More geese present than gulls at
• Murphy Park
• Otumba Park
• Haines

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Avian Waste Study

• Whitefish Dunes
• Fish Creek
• Egg Harbor
• Baileys Harbor
• Sunset
• Otumba
• Sister Bay
• Ephraim
• Portage Park
• Ellison Bay
• Newport State Park

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Avian Waste Study

• Avian waste was counted in a transect area of 1/4
  mile by 4 adjacent to the swash zone.
• Avian waste was counted in nine 4 X 4 plots.
• The avian waste counts where extrapolated to
  determine waste counts per transect area.
• Survey data does not represent the total amount
  of bird waste on the beach. The use of the same
  transect size allows the amount of avian waste to
  be compared between beaches.

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Cladophora Survey Door County Beach Monitoring
2004
Cladophora is a natural algae that grows attached
to the lake bottom. When it detaches, either from
wave action or die off it washes up into beach
areas and decays. On the beach it provides a
habitat for E. coli (shade and carbohydrates).
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Scale Low Cladophora minimally present in
patches on the beach.
Cladophora Distribution Survey

• Rank the presence of Cladophora on the beach on a
  scale of None, Low, Moderate, High, or Absent
• If Cladophora is present on the beach note the
  approximate depth and width of piles, if it
  extends into the water and if it is continuous
  along the beach or patchy. Please also note wind
  direction.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Survey

Moderate Cladophora noticeably present on the
beach and a nuisance.
High Cladophora covers beach in wind rows.
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Whitefish Dunes Cladophora Algae
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Europe Bay Town Park - Cladophora
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Murphy Park - Cladophora
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• BEACH LOCATION EFFECT
• Beaches located in Sturgeon Bay (Sunset and
  Otumba) had significantly higher overall mean E.
  coli counts than other beach locations.
• Sturgeon Bay,
• Green Bay,
• Lake Michigan,
• Washington Island, and
• Inland lakes (Kangaroo, Europe, Clark) had the
  lowest overall mean E. coli counts
• The inland lake and island beaches grouped
  together, but the overall mean E. coli counts of
  all other groups were significantly different
  from one another.

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Mean E. coli Count for Beach Locations
99-
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SEASONAL EFFECT ON BEACH E. COLI LEVELS

• E. coli counts generally increased over the
  summer at Door County beaches, a pattern seen at
  many other Lake Michigan beaches.
• Many advisories/closures occurred in August (26
  Advisories, 9 closures).
• There was a gradual building in overall mean
  counts followed by a dramatic decreases.
• The overall counts across Door County indicate
  that E. coli counts may build gradually over
  time, sometimes resulting in beach closure
  events.

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Mean E. coli count for all beaches over the
summer 2004. Data have been smoothed to lessen
the influence of extreme values.
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Soil and Water Conservation Department Source
Identification Methods 2003 -2004

• Otumba, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and
  Whitefish Dunes State Park Beaches
• Presence of pathogens
• Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter
• Spatial distribution and concentrations of E.
  coli
• water depth, location
• Genetic identity of E. coli
• isolated from water samples to determine human
  vs. animal E. coli sources
• Antibiotic resistance of E. coli
• tested to determine human vs. animal E. coli
  sources and
• E. coli concentrations during and after rain fall
  events
• (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after rain
  events of at least 0.5 inches within 24 hours)
  and at 4 additional beaches (Lakeside, Sunset,
  Egg Harbor, Murphy Park)

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Pathogens E. coli indicates fecal contamination
and therefore possible presence of pathogenic
microorganisms in the water.

• METHODS
• Looked for GI tract disease causing organisms
  from beach water (Salmonella, Shigella,
  Campylobacter)
• Monitored Ephraim, Fish Creek, Otumba Park,
  Sister Bay, and Whitefish Dunes State Park
  beaches 1x/week
• RESULTS
• No Salmonella, nor Shigella could be detected
  from any sample
• Campylobacter was detected at Otumba Park Beach
  (69 of samples)
• Campylobacter comes from a variety of sources,
  including birds, humans, and cattle

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Additional Spatial Sampling for E. coli

• Whitefish Dunes
• Fish Creek
• Otumba
• Sister Bay
• Ephraim

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Additional Spatial Sampling for E. coli

• Additional E. coli samples were taken at
• 12 in 3 locations
• 24 in 3 locations
• 48 in 3 locations
• Near surface water outlets

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Spatial Sampling Results

• Depth
• E. coli counts were significantly different at
  all three depths with the highest counts in
  shallow (12 in) water, and the lowest counts in
  deep (48 in) water.
• Dilution, resuspension of bacteria in shoreline
  sand, and concentration gradients.
• Sources of E. coli may originate from the shore
  and wash into beach water.
• Ephraim, Fish Creek, Otumba, and Whitefish Dunes
  beaches
• There was no significant difference in E. coli
  counts among depths.
• Sister Bay Park
• Location horizontally across beach
• There was a significantl difference in E. coli
  concentrations measured across the beach
• Sources of E. coli may originate from one side of
  the beach versus another
• Sister Bay Park
• There was no significant difference in E. coli
  concentrations measured across the beach
• Sources of E. coli may not originate from one
  side of the beach versus another
• Ephraim, Fish Creek, Otumba, and Whitefish Dunes
  beaches

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Comparison of E. coli counts at three depths
(12, 24, 48) on five subject beaches and E.
coli counts in nearby outfall.
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Comparison of E. coli counts at center, left, and
right at 5 subject beaches. Error bars indicate
1 S.E. of the mean.
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Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing at Door County
Beaches 2004

• METHOD
• A total of 1300 E. coli isolates were recovered
• 16 antibiotics were tested against each isolate
• RESULTS
• Whitefish Dunes State Park Beach
• The majority of isolates were not susceptible to
  antibiotics indicating that the majority are from
  avian sources.
• Fish Creek, Otumba, Ephraim, Sister Bay
• Multiple groups of isolates were susceptible to
  antibiotics indicating that some are from human
  sources.

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• Genetic Identity of E. Coli at
• Door County Beaches 2004
• METHODS
• A total of 1300 E. coli isolates were recovered
• E. coli isolates recovered from beach water
  samples were compared to E. coli isolates
  recovered from solid fecal samples. Matches were
  grouped together.
• RESULTS
• Whitefish Dunes State Park Beach
• A very large group of water isolates matched
  avian fecal isolates indicating that the majority
  are from avian sources. There were a couple of
  small groups of water isolates that matched deer,
  dog, and human fecal isolates.
• Fish Creek, Otumba, Ephraim, Sister Bay
• There were multiple groups of water isolates that
  matched human and avian fecal isolates indicating
  that both human and avian sources are
  contributing E. coli to these beaches. There
  were a couple of small groups of water isolates
  that matched deer and dog fecal isolates.

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Rain Event Research

• Whitefish Dunes
• Lakeside
• Egg Harbor
• Murphy Park
• Sunset
• Otumba
• Sister Bay
• Ephraim
• Fish Creek

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Post-Rainfall E. coli Sampling

• Methods
• E. coli concentrations were measured at several
  beaches hourly for 4 hours, and at 8, 12, and 24
  hours after rainfall events of at least 0.5 of
  more within 24 hours.
• Results
• Extremely high E. coli concentrations were
  detected at most beaches tested in the first 4-8
  hours after rainfall event of at least 0.5.
• E. coli concentrations at Sunset Park and Otumba
  Park (Sturgeon Bay) were monitored after six
  different rainfall events and most sampling
  events resulted in elevated levels (Other beaches
  had fewer measurements).
• Many of the post-rainfall concentrations would
  have resulted in beach closures, had a monitoring
  sample been taken.
• By hours 8-12 of rain event sampling, E. coli
  concentrations typically fell below the advisory
  level.

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Specific Interim Beach Management Recommendations
for 2005 Swim Season

• Remove stagnant pools of water located on the
  Otumba and Fish Creek beaches near the outlet of
  stormwater pipes
• Due to high E. coli concentrations in these pools

Otumba Park Stormwater Pipe
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Specific Beach Management Recommendations for
2005 Swim Season

• The Door County Public Health Department will
  initiate beach closure action at these beaches if
  the pools are not removed by the 2005 swim
  season.
• SWCD offers to work with the City of Sturgeon Bay
  and the Town of Gibraltar on pool removal plans

Fish Creek Beach Stormwater Pipe
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Specific Interim Beach Management Recommendations
for 2005 Swim Season

• There will be pre-emptive beach closures in 2005
  at Otumba and Sunset beach during and after rain
  events due to consistently elevated levels of E.
  coli during and after rain events in 2004.
• The size of rain event and length of closures
  will be determined prior to the 2005 swim season
  with additional statistical analysis of the rain
  event water samples taken in 2004.

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Specific Interim Beach Management Recommendations
for 2005 Swim Season

• Algal blooms were observed at Anclam Beach in
  Baileys Harbor in 2004.
• Many blue green algae species and Cyanobacterias
  are typically found in algal blooms
• Skin rashes are a common symptom in humans from
  swimming in algal blooms
• On one occasion a water sample was taken in the
  algal bloom at Anclam beach and the presence of
  the blue green algae Mirocystis was identified.
• Microcystis produces a toxin Microcystin that is
  harmful to humans.
• Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and liver
  problems

• SWCD recommends that there be further sampling in
  the algal blooms to determine the variety or
  quantity of blue green algae species,
  Cyanobacteria and Cyanobacterial toxins in these
  blooms.
• It is generally recommended that swimming is
  avoided in algal blooms.

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General Interim Beach Management Recommendations

• Consider options for reducing stormwater runoff
  to all monitored beaches with stormwater pipes
  and or runoff areas.
• Place signs that request and activity instruct
  beach goers not to feed the birds at all of the
  monitored beaches.
• Inform the public about the potential impact of
  runoff, dog/pet feces, and impacts of feeding
  birds on water quality.

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Beach Contamination Source Identification Methods
Recommendations

• E. coli concentrations and recovery of E. coli
  isolates for genetic analysis from sampling in
• Water at 7 new beach locations not tested in 2004
  
• Water at 2004 locations that require additional
  study
• Stormwater washed from impervious surfaces and
  land masses in close proximity to the beaches
• Water in Cladophora mats
• Sand at 12 beaches
• Rain event E. coli water sampling in
• Stormwater, stream and runoff outlets
• Water at 2004 locations that require additional
  study
• Water at 7 new beach locations not tested in 2004
  
• Sand at beaches
• Pathogen water sampling at
• Water at 5 new beach locations not tested in 2004
  
• Discontinue the evaluation of pathogens at
  Whitefish Dunes, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and Fish
  Creek (unless an issue arises).
• Determine the strain of Campylobacter pathogens
  present at Otumba Park.