- Wading in Waste
Summary-AVID Article Format
- Waste has polluted beaches and shellfish beds, ushering in disease-causing microbes (1,234 beaches in 2004)
- Fecal bacteria from runoff and sewage overflows cause liver disease, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal disorders that are common in 3rd-world countries due to poor sanitization
- Impervious unfiltered surface runoff pick up pollution and animal feces to bodies of water (nonpoint)
- Urban and suburban areas receive waste from domestic animals and city wildlife, but vegetated areas get cleaned of fecal bacteria and viruses due to permeable soil
- Consumption of poorly prepared shellfish affected by pollution could cause gastroenteritis, signs must be put to notify markets that shellfish harvested in certain places is illegal if coliform bacteria levels are high enough
- Human population growth indirectly affects contamination and closure of shellfish beds
- Contamination of water could inhibit recreational activities and cause infections and irritation
- All infections in water have been traced to microbe-laden runoff in water supplies
- Hard to detect and determine safe levels in public water and drinking water supplies
- Measured coliform bacteria were connected to the population and the number of impervious surfaces present
- Bacteria can become invulnerable to radiation when binding with soil, and can travel farther and get nutrients
- Soil that settles down on the bottom of ponds contain a wealth of coliform bacteria that can cause illness
- Livestock and poor sanitation systems that don't block and isolate runoff from sewage can be the cause
- Sandy areas also allow bacteria to move more freely and infect more people
- Using filtering, separation in sewage systems, porous pavement, and improved septic tanks can prevent this issue from happening
Summary
The presence of fecal coliform bacteria has plagued numerous bodies of water, and scientists have wondered why, but now, investigations report that this bacteria that is present in human and animal waste has been carried by runoff from agriculture or poorly maintained sewage seepage. This presents a major problem to public health, since coliform bacteria can cause infections, diseases, and even intestinal disorders that may prove fatal. Along with the possibility of shellfish infecting others, cities are pushing to rid the area of coliform bacteria by improving infrastructure by introducing impervious surfaces that absorb the runoff, and improving sewage treatment and runoff direction.
Reflection
I never thought about how many crap there was in our water (heh) and how we could get sick and not even know why. I believe that the treatment of water with coliform bacteria should be a main priority, considering the amount of people that use water (everyone), and how fatal one's condition may become if they are exposed to a pathogen that is present in their drinking water, or even their shower and sink water. The EPA should definitely be on top of this and the other countries that are affected by poor hygiene and sanitary situations, so nobody has to die in order to acquire a sip of water or a bath.