Microbiological Impact of Agricultural and CAFO Activities on
Surface and Ground Water Quality

Research Type and Organization

The research type is in-house. The organization is EPA's
Ground Water and Ecosystem Restoration Division.

Project Period

April 1, 2002 through December 30, 2007

Project Summary

Previous evidence of microbial contamination of natural
waters by agriculture and concentrated animal feeding
operations (CAFOs) has created the necessity to further
evaluate the situation. Pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic
viruses are often present in the intestinal microflora of humans, as well as animals associated with CAFOs. This
creates the potential for pathogen transfer into nearby watersheds, which poses a public health threat.

This research project consists of bacterial source tracking
using the bacterium E. coll as the indicator organism. The
methodology is based on antibiotic resistance analysis in
combination with a statistical discriminant analysis. The
application of the results will aid in the development of
Total Maximum Daily Loads and risk management
strategies for optimizing land use practices in the animal
industry.

Products

Olivas, Y. and B. Faulkner. (2008). "Fecal Source Tracking by Antibiotic Resistance Analysis on a Watershed
Exhibiting Low Resistance."Environ. Monil. Assess., 139: 15-25. DOI 10.1007/sl0661-007-9805-0.

Contact

Bart Faulkner

The National Risk Management Research Laboratory's mission is to advance scientific and engineering
solutions that enable EPA and others to effectively manage current and future environmental risks.
NRMRL possesses unique strengths and capabilities and is dedicated to providing credible
technological information and scientific solutions that support national priorities
and protect human health and the environment.

The objective of this research is to provide a microbiological evaluation of the Turkey Creek Watershed, located in
northwest-central Oklahoma. This is a priority watershed listed under Section 303D of the Clean Water Act and is
currently the focus of a U.S. Geological Survey study on sources of impairment. Nitrogen-isotope ratios of nitrate
and detection of organic compounds typical of human wastewater previously indicated that animal or human wastes
were the major sources of nitrate in Turkey Creek.

Therefore, it is important to identify the species source of
fecal contamination, as well as specific pathogens that
may be present in the watershed.

-------