1. BacteriALERT: A Program for Monitoring and Real-time Estimation of Indicator Bacteria
By Stephen J. Lawrence, Atlanta, Georgia

2. Background
The project is an outgrowth of the Georgia Governor’s Green Space Initiative and former Vice President Al Gore’s Livable Communities Initiative
National Park Service wanted a means to notify the public when indicator bacteria in the Chattahoochee River exceeded the USEPA criteria
Project was initiated by the National Park Service because of high fecal coliform concentrations that have been historically measured in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. NPS was concerned about the health impacts on people using the river for recreation during when bacteria levels were high.
They hoped to develop some type of real-time measure of the health risks associated with water-based recreation

3. Partnerships
Partnerships include Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Conservancy, Georgia EPD, National Park Service, and USGS

4. Purpose and Scope
Monitor total coliform and E. coli bacteria levels daily at three sites on the Chattahoochee River
Provide easily accessible results to the public within 24 hours of sample collection
Monitor turbidity in real-time and estimate average E. coli concentration at two sites
Initially in Oct we began with two sites and samples collected 4-times per week (Mon. – Thurs). Beginning in Oct. 2001, we added another site and collected samples at all three sites daily.

5. Study Area
Currently
limited to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

6. Sample Collection Methods
Samples are collected by employees from the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (an NGO) and the National Park Service

7. Sample Collection Weighted sterile bottle Centroid of flow
Water column from surface to near bottom
Sample is placed on ice and transported to USGS office

8. Bacteria Analysis Colilert Method by IDEXX Corp.
Enzyme substrate using multiple cells (wells)
Similar to the older Multiple-tube
Method
Uses statistical tables to determine most probable number of colony forming units
Provides results in hours

9. Bacteria Analysis—Flow chart

10. Bacteria Analysis
Under visible light, cells are yellow in the presence of total coliform bacteria
Under UV light, cells fluoresce blue-green in the presence of E. coli bacteria

11. Quality Control Measures
Ensure that the bacteria counts represent what is in the river
Cleanliness and sterility during sample collection and processing
Cleanliness and sterility of bottles and utensils
Ability to track potential points of contamination
Compare with other methods

12. Quality Control Measures—Cleanliness and sterility?
Collectors and analysts wear latex or nitrile gloves
Sample bottles and utensils are either used once and disposed or sterilized

13. Quality Control Measures—Track potential contamination
Lots of sterile water are produced and analyzed for bacteria
Each reagent lot is tested for bacteria
Sterile bottles are tested for bacteria

14. Quality Control measures—Compare with other methods
Total coliform, fecal coliform, and E. coli bacteria are also analyzed by membrane filtration
m-coliblue24 broth
m-FC agar

15. RESULTS--Comparison of membrane filter and Colilert methods for E. coli

16. Comparison of fecal coliform membrane filtration with E. coli Colilert

17. RESULTS--Relation between indicator bacteria and turbidity

18. Real-time Estimation of E. coli Estimation equations
12 months of E. coli and turbidity monitoring produced enough data to develop multiple regression equations
Equations use turbidity and streamflow measurements, season, and flow regime (baseflow, stormflow) to estimate E. coli bacteria density
About 81% of the variability in E. coli density is explained by those parameters

19. Real-time Estimation of E. coli Role of continuous monitors
Continuous turbidity is measured using YSI water-quality sondes
These turbidity measurements, streamflow, and current date are plugged into the estimation equations every 15 minutes to give a real-time estimate of E. coli density.
The E. coli estimates are retrieved by a Cold Fusion program and posted to the BacteriALERT Web page

20. Public Awareness: Web Page (url: water.ga.usgs.gov/bacteria)

21. Web Page Links—data tables

22. Alert
Each day an containing the previous day’s bacteria counts is sent to those who have signed up on the web page to receive the notice

23. Public Awareness: National Park Service On-site Signage
E. Coli count above 235 cfu/100 mL
E. Coli count below 235 cfu/100 mL

24. Public Awareness: Print Media
Several news articles have been written about BacteriALERT

25. Public Awareness-Other
Links to the BacteriALERT web page are found on the web sites and in newsletters of fishing clubs, conservation organizations, canoeing and rafting organizations