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Spring Creek Inlet Fecal Colonies

Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and other warm-blooded animals. They aid in the digestion of food. While these bacteria do not directly cause disease, high quantities of fecal coliform bacteria suggest the presence of disease-causing agents. A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, the most common member being E. coli.

Therefore, the presence of fecal coliform bacteria in streams suggests that pathogenic microorganisms might also be present and that swimming and eating shellfish might be a health risk. Since it is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to test directly for the presence of a large variety of pathogens, water is usually tested for coliforms and fecal streptococci instead. Sources of fecal contamination to surface waters include wastewater treatment plants, on-site septic systems, domestic and wild animal manure, and storm runoff. read more about fecal coliform bacteria

There are no known major sources of fecal coliform bacteria along Spring Creek. Due to relatively low levels (with the exception of two major storm events) this test was dropped from analyses in 2007.

Fecal concentration levels have typically remained in the safe, below 200 FC/100ml. Only 2 occurrences have been observed over 200 FC/100ml. The reason for the spikes is unknown and occured at times of above average rain events. This site has not been flagged because the spikes seem to be isolated incidences.

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