Human health concern:		Bacterial infections
Environmental impact:		Eutrophication from overloading of phosphorous (P)
Sources:		Runoff from residential areas (pet wastes, lawn and garden fertilizers); farms (fertilizer, manure, and disturbed soil); and municipal wastewater treatment plants overflows.

Although not usually life threatening, E. Coli is dangerous in high amounts because it can cause adverse health effects from bacterial infection in humans and animals. It is linked to increased gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract disorders.

The State of Vermont has adopted water quality standards that indicate that an acceptable amount of E. Coli contamination should not exceed 77 organisms per 100 milliliters of water in a single sample. These criteria are based on the theoretical assumption that E. Coli at this amount would cause 4 illnesses per 1000 swimmers.

**Learn more about E. coli at our new Q&A page

Other Resources
Fact Sheet on E. Coli from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
UVM School of Natural Resources: E. Coli in Vermont
Study on the epidemeological effects of stormwater on swimmers

Burlington Beach Closings

Click here for current information about beach closings.

In the early to mid-1990’s the problem of bacterial pollution heightened with the permanent (summer season) closings of town beaches in and outside of Burlington. Blanchard Beach in Burlington has been closed since 1991. The town beach in Shelburne was closed most of the summer in 1995.

To get a handle on their problems, the City of Burlington upgraded its sewage treatment facility in early 1995. The $52 million sewer system upgrade was expected to make Lake Champlain cleaner and lead to fewer beach closings. Immediately after the fix, the system was operating much better. There are still occasional beach closings, though they are mostly caused by polluted runoff from streams and residential neighborhoods.

To ensure public safety, Burlington Beaches are monitored frequently. Oakledge, Leddy and North beaches are routinely tested twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. Additional tests may be performed after heavy rainstorms. Beaches in South Burlington, Shelburne and Colchester are tested two or three times a week as well. Because the bacteria test procedures involve an incubation period, results are not available until the day after the test is run.

Around Chittenden County, the results of the beach contamination tests are posted on telephone hotlines. In some communities, the decision to close a beach is made by local town officials if information indicates that the water samples have exceeded the state standards. The beach remains closed until the water passes subsequent tests.

In Burlington, the decision to either resample or close a beach is based upon the sample results and weather conditions. Very high results resulting from rainstorms may warrant immediate closure, while a slightly high result on one end of a beach during dry weather may just require resampling. The City has extensive experience interpreting beach data for public health and safety.

The problems of fecal contamination, today, still have not vanished. Burlington beaches were closed several times in the summer of 1999. Blanchard Beach is still a known trouble spot for fecal pollution.

(Testing for the bacteria E. Coli should not be confused with the testing for fecal coliform, because tests for fecal coliforms may in some instances, detect non-fecal coliform bacteria. The tests for E. Coli are more efficient at detecting fecal contamination from animals.)

Adapted from:
“Clean Waters on Tap for Swimmers,” Burlington Free Press, July 13, 1999.
“Storm Runoff Closes Leddy Beach,” Burlington Free Press, July 19, 1995.
Lake Champlain Basin Program Website (http://www.lcbp.org)
Thanks to Steve Roy from Burlington Public Works for providing assistance in the creation of this section.