Parameter: Microorganisms                Abbreviation: PATH
Classification: Pathogens                   Surface or Ground Water? Surface Water
EPA Priority Pollutant? No                 Is it Carcinogenic? No
How is it Measured? A Fecal Colifrom Test measures the number of Fecal coliform bacteria. This test is done by preparing a 100mL sample and counting the number of colonies per sample (to get a density of Fecal coliform). Water samples are tested for fecal coliform. The presence of high concentrations of fecal coliform indicates that the water could be contaminated with human waste.

What you should know about Microorganisms:

	Includes bacteria and viruses. Contributed to the water by the entrainments of human or animal wastes with runoff or directly into the stream/river.
	Pathogenic means "disease-causing". This term is used to define specific microorganisms found in water, which can be harmful to humans. Examples include: Fecal Streptococci, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and even Legionella.
	Not all microorganisms cause diseases in humans. Microorganisms found in water that can be harmful to humans include: Fecal streptococci, pseudomonas, streptococcus, staphyloccocus, legionella, giardia, and cryptosporidia.

Major Sources of Microorganisms:

Livestock Operations, agricultural practices.

Minor Sources of Microorganisms:

Illegal septic field connections to agricultural drain tiles that empty directly to adjacent streams, pet waste getting into stormsewers.

Typical Concentration for the Fox River Watershed:

Impacts to Ecosystem:

•  

Impacts to Drinking Water:

•  

Impacts to Recreation:

• Activities that cause humans to come in direct contact with water that has high pathogen concentrations can greatly increase risk of contracting dangerous bacteria or viruses.

References