Animal Waste, Water Quality and Human Health

Indicators, sanitary surveys and source attribution techniques 343Kinzelman, et al. 2004). Alterations in conventional techniques envisaged deepergrooming without levelling and compacting beach sands which promoted UV lightpenetration, more rapid drying of beach sands and a reduction in moisture content(Kinzelman & McLellan 2009). The slope or grade of the beach is important whenconsidering the possibility of transfer of bacterial organisms from foreshore sands tonear shore waters, for example, reducing non-point contamination. The removal ofdeep swales, an improved beach grade, the addition of encouraged dune ridges and apronounced beach face provided better drainage and limited the encroachment ofwaves onto the foreshore beach sands.Another improvement measure included the placement of multiple waste receptacleswith rigid liners (which could be emptied on an as-needed basis by the lifeguards) in thebackshore and foreshore beach area. This beach management measure improved wastemanagement, an important step in deterring lazing/loafing of urbanized gull populationsin near-shore areas. Best practices also include the removal of stranded macrophytes andalgae. Preliminary research results indicate water quality degrades over time if matsremain floating or submerged in near-shore waters (Kleinheinz et al. 2009).Regulatory measures included enacting an ordinance prohibiting the feeding ofshorebirds and disallowing dogs on the beach. Public education initiatives includedinformational signage, a media campaign and the use of volunteers to stencil stormdrains throughout the city.Lessons for the futureThe judicious use of routine and expanded monitoring programmes employingFIOs, source attribution techniques, and sanitary surveys can result in the successfulidentification of pollutant sources impacting water bodies and the targeting ofmitigation measures. The City of Racine, WI, US successfully employed this scheme toreduce water quality advisories from 62 per cent of the bathing season in 2000 to fiveor less from 2005–2009. Sustainable use of water resources was shown to have positiveeconomic, environmental, and social benefits for coastal communities.(Table 9.3)Table 9.3 Annual beach advisories/closures posted at North and Zoo Beaches,Racine, WI for the period 2000 to 2009.Annual Bathing Water Quality Advisories (# days/% season) – Racine, WIYear North Beach Zoo Beach Beach Season (Total Days)2000 62/66% 39/41% 942001 17/20% 21/25% 842002 27/31% 22/25% 872003 31/32% 26/27% 96(Continued)