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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Paul Myers, MS and Anthony Dennis, BS. Environmental Health Section, Alachua County Health Department, 224 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641, 352.334.7932, Anthony_Dennis@doh.state.fl.us

Gainesville's urban creeks are polluted. Once pristine waterways winding through predominantly residential neighborhoods have become impaired due to anthropogenic causes. The sources of pollution are varied. Storm water systems, illicit discharges from sewer system transmission lines, malfunctioning onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), creek side encampments and wildlife have all been identified as potential sources of nutrients and fecal coliforms.

As the agency responsible for regulating county OSTDS, the Alachua County Health Department (ACHD) designed a study to characterize the role that OSTDS play in the fecal coliform loading of selected creek systems. Of Gainesville's eight creeks, three were prioritized for the initial analysis due to historical creek sampling data shared by the Alachua County Office of Environmental Protection.

Collaboration with Gainesville Regional Utilities identified parcels served by central sewer service. Those that were not were candidates for potential OSTDS evaluation by the ACHD. Parcels owners served by OSTDS were contacted for access approval and offered free, specific environmental health services as an incentive to participate.

Of the 455 parcels that directly abutted the creeks, 36 or 8% were served by OSTDS. Of those 36 OSTDS, 2 were characterized as having a very low potential for impacting the creek, 29 had a moderate potential and 1 had a confirmed impact to the creek.

This investigation indicated that in terms of fecal coliform loading, OSTDS played a minor role. Efforts by the ACHD and other community partners continue to identify other sources of pollution and associated remediation strategies.

Learning Objectives: