bacteria
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium found in the digestive track of all warm-blooded animals. However, E. coli is often found in conjunction with bacteria that make humans sick. Thus, E. coli is often used as an indicator that waters are polluted with animal or human waste.
Nobody wants to swim in waste, but keeping it out of our waters has been challenging. In the Kiefer Creek Watershed, septic systems and other sources are responsible for a large portion of the bacteria found in water quality samples.
Nobody wants to swim in waste, but keeping it out of our waters has been challenging. In the Kiefer Creek Watershed, septic systems and other sources are responsible for a large portion of the bacteria found in water quality samples.
The Kiefer Creek watershed is listed as an 'Impaired Water' of Missouri for E. coli. When we looked at earlier efforts to analyze and improve water quality in the Lower Meramec, we found that there has been a long history of high bacteria levels in Kiefer Creek. In the 1972 St. Louis County Water Pollution Control Study Phase I for Areas Tributary to the Meramec River included sampling from Kiefer Creek indicating that bacteria levels frequently exceeded today's recreational use water quality standards.
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Human Bacteria Sources
Failing Septic Systems
Faulty septic tanks are widely believed to be a major source of bacterial runoff. Many of the first developments in the watershed area were originally developed when little or no sewage infrastructure was available. Further complicating matters is the unique terrain and topography of the watershed.
Our goal is to empower watershed residents to utilize best management practices from pumping their systems every 3 - 5 years, reducing the amount of water their system manages, and even connecting some residents to a main lateral line where possible. To learn more click here. |
Animal Bacteria Sources
Pets and Wildlife
Pollutants from improperly disposed pet waste may be washed into storm drains by rain. Storm sewers usually drain directly into our lakes and streams, carrying many pollutants along with the water. When pet waste is washed into streams the waste decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill aquatic life. Pet waste also carries bacteria which makes water unsafe for swimming or drinking.
Kiefer Creek is on Missouri's Impaired Waters List due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria and E. coli. Studies have shown the dog waste is one of the sources of this bacteria. Whereas some sources are expensive to eliminate, pet waste can be kept out of our creeks by ALWAYS scooping, bagging, and trashing it. While the fecal matter of mammals and birds also contains E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria, the waste from domesticated animals tends to be concentrated on lawns and fields where the animals typically defecate. When this waste is improperly managed it can contribute significantly to bacteria levels in our waterways. The Kiefer Creek Watershed is home to many pets, horses and a panoply of wildlife, all of which contribute to some portion of the bacteria that is present in the
watershed.
watershed.
Pollutants from improperly disposed pet waste may be washed into storm drains by rain. Storm sewers usually drain directly into our lakes and streams, carrying many pollutants along with the water. When pet waste is washed into streams the waste decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill aquatic life. Pet waste also carries diseases which makes water unsafe for swimming or drinking.
Horses
Many parts of Kiefer Creek are still quite rural in terms of the land use and land cover, allowing for many watershed residents to keep horses at their home. There are also commercial horse stables and training areas in the watershed.
Horses are a common non-point source of bacteria in watersheds across the United States, including many watersheds in Missouri. Each individual horse produces an average of 9 tons of manure and 3.5 tons of urine per year. Horse manure can cause problematic imbalances in water quality, however it can also be properly managed and utilized as a resource.
Horses are a common non-point source of bacteria in watersheds across the United States, including many watersheds in Missouri. Each individual horse produces an average of 9 tons of manure and 3.5 tons of urine per year. Horse manure can cause problematic imbalances in water quality, however it can also be properly managed and utilized as a resource.