Preliminary Investigation of Wastewater-Related Contaminants Near Home Sewage Treatment Systems in Ohio
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, investigated the occurrence and sources of wastewater-related contaminants near home sewage treatment systems (HSTS). Piezometers were installed near active leach lines at 20 sites among 9 Ohio counties. Despite an unusually wet year, water samples could not be obtained from piezometers at eight sites; at 5 of the other 12 sites, water could be obtained from only one piezometer. Water samples from the piezometers were analyzed for nutrients, chloride, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to determine whether untreated wastewater was migrating away from the systems. Additional water samples were collected at two sites and analyzed for nitrogen isotopes and wastewater compounds. At three sites, bacteria were analyzed by means of repetitive DNA element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) to indicate the source of the bacteria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA442306
Entities
People
- D. H. Dumouchelle
- D. M. Stoeckel