In 2017, the City of Plattsburgh conducted a study to determine the relationship between precipitation events and the concentration of fecal indicating bacteria (FIB), as well as the potential sources of FIB by analyzing DNA contained in water samples to determine which type of animal contributed the fecal bacteria.
Samples were collected over the summer of 2017 during dry weather, precipitation events, and CSO events. Seven locations were sampled: five points in rivers/creeks within Plattsburgh City limits and two locations at public beaches on the Lake.
Location Description | Sample Location | Dry Weather Conditions | Wet Weather Conditions - NO CSOs | Wet Weather Conditions After CSOs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upstream - Saranac River | RW0 | Canine | Gull | Canine, Human, Gull |
Upstream - Saranac River | RW1 | Canine | Gull | Canine, Bovine |
Upstream - Saranac River | RW2 | Human | Gull | Canine, Bovine |
Downstream - Saranac River | RW3 | Canine | Gull | Canine, Bovine, Human |
Scomotion Creek | RW4 | Human | Gull | Bovine, Goose |
Plattsburgh Municipal Beach | RW5 | Gull | No Samples | Gull, Human |
Public Access Beach - McDonald's | RW17 | Bovine | Gull, Bovine | Gull, Human, Canine |
Suggestions from the investigation for source mitigation strategies include landscaping deterrents for avian sources, public awareness campaigns at marinas to address human sources during dry-weather conditions, and increased pet waste stations for canine sources. These data can be used to help design and implement source mitigation strategies to prevent fecal contamination from reaching waterways.