Bacterial Contamination

Contamination and pollution come from direct discharge and/or non-point (indirect) sources.  Many of the obvious direct discharges have been identified and corrected, but not all.  Even today, many older homes and some coastal businesses directly discharge their waste into the ponds or tributaries.  Non-point pollution is far more difficult to identify and correct. Bacterial contamination in the ponds comes from a combination of human sources and surface runoff that collects bacteria from domestic and wild animal sources.

The most recognized contaminant is sewage.  Sewage contains potentially harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.  Since 1925, routine water-quality monitoring has been conducted using a common bacteria, E. coli, also known as Coliform bacteria, as an analytical indicator of sewage.  SPC runs a bacterial testing program that dates back to 1985, the results of which have helped set government standards for clean water and water not fit for shellfish harvesting or physical contact by humans.

The most obvious fallout of bacterial pollution is the loss of recreational opportunities and the risks associated with eating shellfish – both highly popular activities in Rhode Island that contribute millions of dollars to the local economy.