Comprehensive sanitary survey evaluation of high risk beaches in northern Wisconsin
File(s)
Date
2014-06Author
Busse, Kimberly
Advisor(s)
Kleinheinz, Greg
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In 2008 13% of Great Lakes beaches exceeded health standards; approximately
90% of those exceedances were attributed to unknown pollution sources. In this project,
sanitary surveys were conducted at all impaired beaches [CWA, 303(d)] in Northern WI
to identify pollution sources and drive mitigation. This project covered the entire Lake
Superior and northern Lake Michigan shoreline. One inland beach in northern Wisconsin
as also selected to assess the transferability of the Great Lakes Beach sanitary survey tool
to inland beaches (located on still or flowing waters). This project clearly addressed the
goal of identifying unknown pollution sources by not only investigating sources of
contamination at numerous locations around Wisconsin, but also began the process of
planning for the mitigation of these microbial contamination sources. In years one and
two of this project sanitary surveys (SS) were conducted at all northern Wisconsin
beaches listed (and proposed) on the 303d list. Study beaches were located on the
northern shore of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, encompassing both rural and urban
settings and various stages within the investigative process (none to fairly extensive
monitoring with/without mitigation measures). The US EPA Sanitary Survey tools
(routine and annual) were used to conduct site assessments for the purpose of
determining probable pollutant sources and suggesting mitigation measures. Data
collected as part of the sanitary survey process was entered into and archived within the
WI "Beach Health" website such that they were accessible for the construction of
predictive models. In year three of the study, a sample plan was developed based on
previous years data to target potential pollution source identification. Based on three
years of data, statistical analysis was conducted to identify sources at each of the ten
beaches selected. Source identification was the first step in the effort to improve water
quality at recreational beaches in Wisconsin.
Subject
Beaches
Escherichia coli
Water quality magement
Bacterial pollution of water
Water pollution
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/69685Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement For the Degree of
Master of Science Biology
Microbiology