Complete report - Partners for Clean Streams

Issue 15 - Home Sewage Disposal
Tracing Diffuse Sources of Fecal Contamination through
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of E. Coli Isolates
1997-1999
Description:
Lead Organization:
Collaborator(s):
This study was conducted in the ditches and streams of the eastern portion of the
Maumee AOC. This “fingerprinting” project was to link the sources of bacteria to the
high bacterial contamination problems being found at Maumee Bay State Park
beaches.
University of Toledo (funded in part by a grant from the LEPF)
Maumee Bay Bacteria Task Force
Western Lake Erie Coastal Sanitary Survey
1998-1999
Description:
Lead Organization:
Collaborators:
The Jerusalem Township, Curtice and Williston areas received a grant that:
- Identified nearly 100 failed septic systems, about half of which were replace or
repaired. Follow-up was planned for 30 others.
- Documented a public health nuisance in the Curtice area.
- Produced and distributed educational materials customized to Northwest Ohio
soil types and regulations specifically to those who own septic systems.
- Designed and built three desktop working models of septic systems to
demonstrate to residents how their septic system works.
The study concluded that sewers would be needed at least for Curtice. The goal is to
have Curtice tapped into a sewer system by 2008.
TMACOG (funded in part by a grant from Ohio Coastal Management Program)
Lucas and Ottawa County Health Departments, Lucas SWCD
“Protect Our Beaches” Initiative
2001
Description:
Lead Organization:
Collaborator(s):
This initiative was formed to reduce the bacteria around Lake Erie and to provide a
safe place for people to swim this summer. Many activities are part of this effort,
including a study of the origin of the bacteria, a promise by the Ohio DNR to halt lake
dredging, protection of the shore from gull fecal matter to reduce bacteria,
improvement of the City of Toledo’s storm system, and the installment of new sanitary
sewers around the region.
City of Toledo
Toledo Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner, Oregon Mayor James Haley, Director of the UT
Lake Erie Center Stephen Goldman, Toledo-Lucas County Health Commissioner Dr.
David Grossman, Ohio DNR, area counties
Activities and Accomplishments
in the Maumee Area of Concern
212
Issue 15: Home Sewage
Disposal