Study for Research Methods that will Improve Water QualityMonitoring and Prediction at Area Beaches

["Shannon Briggs" <BRIGGSSL@michigan.gov>]

My librarian found this on Yahoo this morning and I thought I would
share it.

Press Release Source: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District 

District and USGS to Research Methods that will Improve Water Quality
Monitoring and Prediction at Area Beaches
Thursday February 5, 3:14 pm ET 

CLEVELAND, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- With the approval of the Board of
Trustees, the Northeast Ohio Sewer District will partner with the United
States Geological Survey (USGS) in a grant funded research effort that
will develop better tools to predict beach water quality. Specifically,
the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) has accepted the District's
request for $202,958 over a three-year period to improve the science of
recreational water-quality monitoring and prediction. The District will
provide $30,000 in matching grant funds as well as $20,000 in kind
services in the form of sample collection, lab analysis, technical
assistance and grants management. The District and USGS will conduct the
study at three area beaches: Edgewater and Villa Angela in Cleveland and
Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula.
 
Currently, field workers measure concentrations of Escherichia coli (E.
coli) to determine fecal contamination levels. These measurements take
at least 18 hours for results, however, during which time water quality
might change drastically. Additionally, collecting one or two samples of
E. coli, as is commonly done, does not help identify the sources.

In contrast, the USGS has developed methods that estimate when E. coli
concentrations exceed bathing-water standard using factors that are
quickly and easily measured. Unfortunately, the predictive powers of
these methods are not accurate enough to support public forecasts for
beach quality. The proposed study will seek to further improve these
methods so they can be used at Lake Erie beaches. As Board President
Michael L. Nelson stated "since water quality at our area beaches
directly impacts public health, it is critical that we move forward with
this initiative."

In addition to developing a predictive model that will improve the
bacteria forecasting at local beaches, two technical reports will result
from this study that will be published as journal articles in 2006.
Furthermore, the District and USGS will present the results of the
investigation at scientific and public meetings.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District operates three wastewater
treatment plants and related water pollution control facilities on Lake
Erie, the Cuyahoga River and Rocky River. The District serves 60
suburban communities and the City of Cleveland and employs approximately
550 people.

Contact: Kim C. Jones or Lester Stumpe (216) 881-6600, ext. 6882 




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

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