IS THE RIVER SAFE? Bob Washam Environmental Health Director - - PDF document

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IS THE RIVER SAFE? Bob Washam Environmental Health Director - - PDF document

Sep 25, 2022 15 likes •207 views

IS THE RIVER SAFE? Bob Washam Environmental Health Director Martin County Health Department Bachelor of Environmental Technology, FIT Master of Environmental Epidemiology, University of Miami School of Medicine Registered

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IS THE RIVER SAFE?

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Bob Washam Environmental Health Director Martin County Health Department

  • Bachelor of Environmental Technology, FIT
  • Master of Environmental Epidemiology,

University of Miami School of Medicine

  • Registered Environmental Health Professional
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WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO

  • Bacteria sampling of swimming areas,

Bacteria sampling of swimming areas, every other week every other week

  • Issue health advisories

Issue health advisories

  • Monitor for illnesses in the community

Monitor for illnesses in the community

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Martin County Results posted at: www.martincountyhealth.com

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What are enterococci? What are enterococci?

  • Indicators of bacteria, viruses and

Indicators of bacteria, viruses and protozoa protozoa

  • Typically found in intestinal tract of

Typically found in intestinal tract of animals and humans animals and humans

  • Relatively easy to sample and test

Relatively easy to sample and test

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COMMON HEALTH EFFECTS COMMON HEALTH EFFECTS

  • Upset stomach and diarrhea

Upset stomach and diarrhea

  • Eye or ear irritation

Eye or ear irritation

  • Skin rashes

Skin rashes

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RIVER BACTERIA SOURCES RIVER BACTERIA SOURCES

  • Storm water runoff

Storm water runoff

  • Animal waste

Animal waste

  • Inadequate wastewater treatment

Inadequate wastewater treatment

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MORE RIVER BACTERIA SOURCES MORE RIVER BACTERIA SOURCES

  • Sewage spills

Sewage spills

  • Boat discharges

Boat discharges

  • Agricultural operations

Agricultural operations

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WHEN DO BACTERIA LEVELS WHEN DO BACTERIA LEVELS INCREASE IN THE ST. LUCIE? INCREASE IN THE ST. LUCIE?

  • Low salinity

Low salinity

  • High turbidity

High turbidity

  • High flows related to runoff and releases

High flows related to runoff and releases from rivers and canals from rivers and canals

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100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1/3/2012 2/3/2012 3/3/2012 4/3/2012 5/3/2012 6/3/2012 7/3/2012 8/3/2012 9/3/2012 10/3/2012 Entero

Roosevelt Bridge

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Enterococci Levels at Roosevelt Bridge vs Discharges into the St. Lucie

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Fecal Coliform Levels at Roosevelt Bridge vs Discharges into the St. Lucie

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Haney Creek, Rio 2005

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Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)

  • Blooms when nutrients and water

temperature are high

  • Can release toxins into water
  • Do not swim in algae blooms, or allow

pets to swim in the bloom

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Summary Summary

  • Bacteria seem to increase when runoff

Bacteria seem to increase when runoff from the land occurs and salinity from the land occurs and salinity decreases decreases

  • Blue

Blue-

  • green algae blooms occur when

green algae blooms occur when nutrients increase nutrients increase

  • Bacteria and Blue

Bacteria and Blue-

  • green algae are

green algae are generally highest when releases occur generally highest when releases occur

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What can you do? What can you do?

  • Minimize the use of fertilizers

Minimize the use of fertilizers

  • Keep your septic system maintained

Keep your septic system maintained

  • Keep elected officials informed

Keep elected officials informed

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