High levels of sewage contamination released from urban areas after storm events: A quantitative survey with sewage specific bacterial indicators

Background Past studies have demonstrated an association between waterborne disease and heavy precipitation, and climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of these types of intense storm events in some parts of the United States. In this study, we examined the linkage between rainfall and sewage contamination of urban waterways and quantified the amount of sewage released from a major urban area under different hydrologic conditions to identify conditions that increase human risk of exposure to sewage. Methods and findings Rain events and low-flow periods were intensively sampled to quantify loads of sewage based on two genetic markers for human-associated indicator bacteria (human Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae). Samples were collected at a Lake Michigan estuary and at three river locations immediately upstream. Concentrations of indicators were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and loads were calculated from streamflow data collected at each location. Human-associated indicators were found during periods of low flow, and loads increased one to two orders of magnitude during rain events from stormwater discharges contaminated with sewage. Combined sewer overflow (CSO) events increased concentrations and loads of human-associated indicators an order of magnitude greater than heavy rainfall events without CSO influence. Human-associated indicator yields (load per km2 of land per day) were related to the degree of urbanization in each watershed. Contamination in surface waters were at levels above the acceptable risk for recreational use. Further, evidence of sewage exfiltration from pipes threatens drinking water distribution systems and source water. While this study clearly demonstrates widespread sewage contamination released from urban areas, a limitation of this study is understanding human exposure and illness rates, which are dependent on multiple factors, and gaps in our knowledge of the ultimate health outcomes. Conclusions With the prediction of more intense rain events in certain regions due to climate change, sewer overflows and contamination from failing sewer infrastructure may increase, resulting in increases in waterborne pathogen burdens in waterways. These findings quantify hazards in exposure pathways from rain events and illustrate the additional stress that climate change may have on urban water systems. This information could be used to prioritize efforts to invest in failing sewer infrastructure and create appropriate goals to address the health concerns posed by sewage contamination from urban areas

High levels of sewage contamination released from urban areas after storm events: A quantitative survey with sewage specific bacterial indicators.

BACKGROUND:Past studies have demonstrated an association between waterborne disease and heavy precipitation, and climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of these types of intense storm events in some parts of the United States. In this study, we examined the linkage between rainfall and sewage contamination of urban waterways and quantified the amount of sewage released from a major urban area under different hydrologic conditions to identify conditions that increase human risk of exposure to sewage. METHODS AND FINDINGS:Rain events and low-flow periods were intensively sampled to quantify loads of sewage based on two genetic markers for human-associated indicator bacteria (human Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae). Samples were collected at a Lake Michigan estuary and at three river locations immediately upstream. Concentrations of indicators were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and loads were calculated from streamflow data collected at each location. Human-associated indicators were found during periods of low flow, and loads increased one to two orders of magnitude during rain events from stormwater discharges contaminated with sewage. Combined sewer overflow (CSO) events increased concentrations and loads of human-associated indicators an order of magnitude greater than heavy rainfall events without CSO influence. Human-associated indicator yields (load per km2 of land per day) were related to the degree of urbanization in each watershed. Contamination in surface waters were at levels above the acceptable risk for recreational use. Further, evidence of sewage exfiltration from pipes threatens drinking water distribution systems and source water. While this study clearly demonstrates widespread sewage contamination released from urban areas, a limitation of this study is understanding human exposure and illness rates, which are dependent on multiple factors, and gaps in our knowledge of the ultimate health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:With the prediction of more intense rain events in certain regions due to climate change, sewer overflows and contamination from failing sewer infrastructure may increase, resulting in increases in waterborne pathogen burdens in waterways. These findings quantify hazards in exposure pathways from rain events and illustrate the additional stress that climate change may have on urban water systems. This information could be used to prioritize efforts to invest in failing sewer infrastructure and create appropriate goals to address the health concerns posed by sewage contamination from urban areas

High levels of sewage contamination released from urban areas after storm events: A quantitative survey with sewage specific bacterial indicators - Fig 2

<p>(A) Streamflow (upper panel) and corresponding HB, Lachno2, ruminant, <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i>, and enterococci indicator concentrations (lower panel) measured during a combined sewer overflow in the Milwaukee estuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 4/9/2015–4/13/2015 and (B) streamflow (upper panel) and corresponding HB, Lachno2, ruminant, <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i>, and enterococci indicator concentrations (lower panel) measured during two rain events in the Milwaukee estuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 6/11/2015–6/13/2015 (event 8) and 6/14 /2015–6/16/15 (event 9). Vertical black dashed lines represent the beginning and ending dates and times that were defined for each event. HB, human <i>Bacteroides</i>; Lachno2, human Lachnospiraceae.</p

Peak instantaneous concentrations and maximum 24-hour mean concentrations of human <i>Bacteroides</i> (HB) and human Lachnospiraceae (Lachno2), total rainfall, and mean streamflow of storm events sampled in the Milwaukee estuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015.

<p>Peak instantaneous concentrations and maximum 24-hour mean concentrations of human <i>Bacteroides</i> (HB) and human Lachnospiraceae (Lachno2), total rainfall, and mean streamflow of storm events sampled in the Milwaukee estuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015.</p

Sampling site and flow monitoring station locations, drainage areas, and land use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

<p>Flow monitoring stations in the KK River and Milwaukee estuary were at the sampling locations. Map inset represents the entire Milwaukee estuary drainage area in relation to the state of Wisconsin. Base data comes from the National Land Cover Database (2011) Land Cover dataset [<a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002614#pmed.1002614.ref034" target="_blank">34</a>]. The map was generated using GIS. GIS, geographic information system; KK, Kinnickinnic.</p

Mean daily fluxes, mean daily yields, and mean daily fluxes per unit urban area of HB and Lachno2 in the KK River, MN River, and MKE River for 11 rain events and four low-flow periods collected in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015.

<p>Y-axis is plotted on a log scale. HB, human <i>Bacteroides</i>; KK, Kinnickinnic; Lachno2, human Lachnospiraceae; MKE, Milwaukee; MN, Menomonee.</p

Scatter plot of log10-transformed <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> culture results and the HB genetic marker.

<p>Quadrants were defined as <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> above and below the water quality advisory limit of 235 CFU/100 mL, and the regression line value of HB at this limit. Interval confidence (dashed lines) have been calculated using a linear model with an r-squared of 0.27. HB, human <i>Bacteroides</i>.</p

Daily fluxes of HB and Lachno2 during 11 storm events and mean daily fluxes of these human-associated indicators collected during low flow and event rainfall depth of each event and low-flow sampling period in the Milwaukee estuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015.

<p>HB, human <i>Bacteroides</i>; Lachno2, human Lachnospiraceae.</p