Lake Management Plan
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Burton Lake outlet Fecal Coliform
Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and other warm-blooded animals. They aid in the digestion of food. While these bacteria do not directly cause disease, high quantities of fecal coliform bacteria suggest the presence of disease-causing agents. A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, the most common member being E. coli.
Therefore, the presence of fecal coliform bacteria in streams suggests that pathogenic microorganisms might also be present and that swimming and eating shellfish might be a health risk. Since it is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to test directly for the presence of a large variety of pathogens, water is usually tested for coliforms and fecal streptococci instead. Sources of fecal contamination to surface waters include wastewater treatment plants, on-site septic systems, domestic and wild animal manure, and storm runoff. read more about fecal coliform bacteria
The red line at 200 fecal coliform colonies per 100 mg indicates the health standard determined by the MN Department of Health. In 2007, bacteria colonies were relatively low except for one peak at an above average rainfall event of 2.5 inches. In 2006, there was a peak that reached 200 colonies/100mL, which corresponded to a couple days in a row of rain over 1.5 inches.
