Statewide Bacteria Source Assessment

This project will use state-of-the-art microbial source tracking (MST) methods to determine the sources of fecal contamination in urban, agricultural, and natural watersheds in Minnesota. Water samples will be collected from multiple tributaries within each watershed over time and during both low and high flow conditions to analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of fecal contamination sources. In addition to fecal contamination sources, basic water quality parameters and the occurrence of human pathogens will be also quantified. Results will provide region-specific Escherichia coli (E. coli) information to be used in watershed planning efforts including Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development, Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) projects, One Watershed One Plan (1W1P), and others, and inform management decisions.