A mathematical model was developed to quantify Cryptosporidium, Giardia
and E. coli loads in the Wingecarribee watershed, which is part of the drinking water watershed
serving approximately 4 million residents in Sydney, Australia. The model describes the relative
significance of different sources of the pathogens as well as their fate and transport as they move
through the sub-watersheds. The estimation of pathogen transport rates from fecal deposits to
waterways via surface runoff was identified as an important component of the model. Experiments
were conducted using artificial rainfall simulation to determine the rate of Cryptosporidium, E. coli
and PRD1 bacteriophage transport from bovine fecal pats. Future work will focus on testing the
model to calibrate those components with the highest level of uncertainty, including rates of direct
fecal deposition, connectivity of on-site systems and rates of manure mobilization for other types of
animals. The pathogen model will enable water utility managers to identify those watershed
segments that contribute the highest load of pathogens and where management options will be most
effective. Includes 15 references, table, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 8 |
| Published : | 11/15/2004 |
