Project Description
Project Objectives: Urban stormwater runoff has been documented to contain many pollutants including fecal bacteria and chlorides. Recent technology developed by Dr. Sandra McLellan at the UWM School of Freshwater Science and others allows the fingerprinting of the sources of fecal bacteria in stormwater runoff as avian, bovine, or human sources. This technology has been tested in areas with underground storm sewers and has identified high levels of human waste caused by leaking sanitary sewers and cross-connections, indicating a pathway for transmission of human disease. Little is known about the potential transmission of fecal bacteria in communities without storm sewers and drained by open swales such as many of the Milwaukee Northshore suburbs like Fox Point, Bayside, or Mequon. This research will sample runoff in open swale-drained areas to identify the levels of fecal bacteria, and the source of that bacteria. The research will be conducted in partnership with the Southern Wisconsin Watershed Trust, the Village of Fox Point, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Tasks and Responsibilites
• Identify dry weather surface water flows at 8 sites along Indian Creek. Flows at these sites should only be after rainfall events, dry weather flows indicate the potential for illicit discharges. • Obtain water quality samples for the 8 sites along Indian Creek on two to three dates. • Gather field data on conductivity, pH, and temperature during each site visit. • Deliver water samples to the McLellan Lab at the UWM School of Freshwater Science for bacteria testing. • Assist the McLellan Lab with the processing of the samples. • Maintain records on quality assurance. • Prepare a final report of findings from the study
Desired Qualifications
None Listed.