1. Abstract!
Non-point source water pollutants from urban runoff are a cause for concern
along Bayou Terrebonne, southeastern Louisiana. This bayou, or small river, is
on the EPA 303(d) list of impaired water bodies for having levels of fecal coliform
frequently exceeding 200 cfu/100mL. In this study, we measured fecal coliform
bacteria levels at 21 locations along the bayou between the cities of Thibodaux
and Houma during the summer of 2012. Samples were collected biweekly for
two months at 16 locations along the Upper Bayou Terrebonne, and weekly for
one month at five Middle Bayou Terrebonne sites. Results show that fecal
coliform levels vary substantially along the bayou on days without rain, from
below 200 cfu/100mL to over 6000 cfu/100mL. Levels of E. coli are extremely
high at all sites after rainfall, and commonly exceed 6000 cfu/mL. Sources
appeared to be pipes draining from buildings, and are also speculated by
community members to include broken residential septic systems.
Using Participatory Action Research (PAR), community-based research
methods, and community involvement, we conducted a survey (149
respondents) and interviewed community members about their uses and
cleanup approaches for Bayou Terrebonne. We found that residents along
Upper and Middle Bayou Terrebonne use the stream for fishing and occasional
recreation. The levels of fecal coliform are high enough to present health risks to
people using the water recreationally. Results show that in densely populated
areas, the bayou has dangerously high concentration areas of fecal coliform.
The memory of earlier uses and continued sense of attachment suggest a
willingness to implement changes necessary to cleanup.
Methods
Water was sampled at 16 locations along Upper Bayou Terrebonne and five
locations along Middle Bayou Terrebonne. Fecal coliform levels were measured
at Petroleum Laboratories.
We surveyed 149 people and interviewed four people along Bayou Terrebonne; using Participatory Action Research (PAR) an applied process that
brings shareholders or risk bearers together to identify root causes to issues, seek solutions, act to solve the problems, reflect and evaluate the results.
Fig. 3. A histogram of fecal coliform levels in water samples from the 16
sites along Upper Bayou Terrebonne for four dates in June and July
2012. Fecal coliform levels are not to exceed 200(cfu/100mL)(Green) in
summer months due to potential swimming, and 400(cfu/100mL) during
winter months. The data demonstrates conclusively that fecal coliform
levels exceed acceptable limits at several sites along Bayou Terrebonne.
High concentration areas are considered over 2000(cfu/100mL)(Gray).
Maximum possible instrument reading is 6000 (cfu/100mL).
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to National Science Foundation (NSF), Valerie Sloan (Program
Director), the RESESS Internship Program, UNAVCO, Kristina Peterson,
Basile Dardar, Shirley Laska (University of New Orleans-Center for Hazards
Assessment, Response and Technology), Jenifer Roberts, and Blaise Pezold
(Bayou Land Resource Conservation & Development), Scott Denning
(CMMAP, CSU), and Rebecca Haacker-Santos, Raj Pandya, and Moira
Kennedy (SOARS, UCAR). Funding for additional sample analyses along the
Middle Bayou was provided by CMMAP and Scott Denning at CSU, which
was much appreciated.
Jordan Allen1, Jennifer Roberts2, Blaise Pezold2, Kristina Peterson3, Shirley Laska3, Basile Dardar4!
1Savannah
State
University,
2Bayou
Land
Resource
Conserva9on
&
Development,
3UNO-­‐CHART,
4University
of
Louisiana
at
LafayeHe
Identifying High Concentration Areas of
Fecal Coliform in Bayou Terrebonne, LA:
Measurements and Community Perspective
Fig.6. Maps showing high concentration areas of fecal coliform in upper
and middle Bayou Terrebonne.
Conclusions
• Many sites along Bayou Terrebonne qualify as high-concentration areas of fecal
coliform
• Rainfall appears to cause an increase in fecal coliform levels
• Community citizens are concerned about pollution levels and would like to see
action taken to improve water quality
Results!
Fig. 2. Community Member:
Basile Dardar (Point-aux-
Chenes Tribe)
Fig. 1. Water Sample
Collection
Years
1-­‐20
38%
Years
21-­‐40
41%
Years
41-­‐60+
21%
How
long
have
you
lived
along
Bayou
Terrebonne?
Awareness
Seminars
21%
Properly
Maintain
Individual
Treament
System
48%
Enforce
Regula9ons
Equally
24%
Uncertain
7%
Ac7on
Steps
to
Improve
Bayou
Terrebonne
Yes
15%
No
85%
Do
you
Fish
in
Bayou
Terrebonne?
No
95%
Yes
5%
Are
Sewage
Treatment
Systems
Properly
Maintained?
Community Perspectives on Pollution in Bayou Terrebonne: Survey Results!
Fig. 4. A histogram of fecal coliform levels in water samples from the
four sites along Middle Bayou Terrebonne for four dates in June and July
2012. Samples taken from Middle Bayou Terrebonne which is more
rural and is located downstream from Upper Bayou Terrebonne, show
that fecal coliform levels continue to exceed acceptable limits. This
suggests that communities yet further downstream should be concerned
about human health risks.
Fig. 5. Citizen of the community
filling out a survey.
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
BT-­‐17
BT-­‐18
BT-­‐19
BT-­‐20
BT-­‐21
Fecal
Coliform
(cfu/100mL)
Sites
Middle
Bayou
Terrebonne
Dry
Days
6/29/12
7/6/12
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
BT-­‐17
BT-­‐18
BT-­‐19
BT-­‐20
BT-­‐21
Fecal
Coliform
(cfu/100mL)
Sites
Middle
Bayou
Terrebonne
Rainy
Days
7/13/12
7/23/12
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
BT-­‐1
BT-­‐2
BT-­‐3
BT-­‐4
BT-­‐5
BT-­‐6
BT-­‐7
BT-­‐8
BT-­‐9
BT-­‐10
BT-­‐11
BT-­‐12
BT-­‐13
BT-­‐14
BT-­‐15
BT-­‐16
Fecal
Coliform
(cfu/100mL)
Sites
Upper
Bayou
Terrebonne
Dry
Days
6/6/12
7/6/12
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
BT-­‐1
BT-­‐2
BT-­‐3
BT-­‐4
BT-­‐5
BT-­‐6
BT-­‐7
BT-­‐8
BT-­‐9
BT-­‐10
BT-­‐11
BT-­‐12
BT-­‐13
BT-­‐14
BT-­‐15
BT-­‐16
Fecal
Coliform
(cfu/100
mL)
Sites
Upper
Bayou
Terrebonne
Rainy
Days
6/12/12
7/23/12
No
91%
Yes
9%
Do
you
Swim
in
Bayou
Terrebonne?
High Concentration Areas
>2000 cfu/100ml on Dry Days