Fecal Coliform Bacteria Concentrations Research Articles

Environmental factors influencing the distribution of fecal coliform bacteria in Bandon Bay, Thailand

The presence of fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and deteriorated water quality are prevalent problems in various coastal ecosystems leading to public health concerns. Here, we evaluated the contamination of FCB and its member, Escherichia coli, in the Tapi-Phumduang River system and Bandon Bay in Thailand, and the accumulation of FCB in oysters cultured therein. The results show significantly higher FCB and E. coli in river water than in seawater, substantiating the role that the river serves as a conduit for bacterial delivery to the bay. FCB discharged from the river to the bay during low tide was approximately 4-fold higher than during high tide. The concentrations of FCB in seawater (<79 MPN/100 mL) and oysters (<187 MPN/100 g) from the Bandon Bay are within regulatatory limits. Statistical analysis shows that various environmental parameters including salinity, turbidity, and DSi are strongly correlated with bacterial pollutants in river water, whereas bacterial pollutants in bay water are strongly correlated with salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen and dissolved silicate. Hence, salinity and turbidity can be used as proxies for bacterial pollution monitoring in the river, and salinity is a good proxy for indicating bacterial contamination in Bandon Bay. Thus, these two proxies may assist in a rapid assessment of bacterial pollution in aquatic environments.

Changes of composition and antibiotic resistance of fecal coliform bacteria in municipal wastewater treatment plant

The dynamics of the composition and antibiotic resistance of the fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) in a typical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were investigated concerning the seasonal changes. Results showed that WWTP could remove the FCB concentration by 3∼5 logs within the effluent of 104∼105 CFU/L, but the antibiotic resistant rate of FCB species increased significantly after WWTP. The dominant FCB changed from Escherichia coli in the influent (∼73.0%) to Klebsiella pneumoniae in the effluent (∼53.3%) after WWTP, where the Escherichia coli was removed the most, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most persistent. The secondary tank removed the most of FCB (by 3∼4 logs) compared to other processes, but increased all the concerned antibiotic resistant rate. The potential super bugs of FCB community showing resistance to all the target antibiotics were selected in the biological treatment unit of WWTP. The FCB showed the highest multiple antibiotic resistance (92.9%) in total which even increased to 100% in the effluent. Klebsiella has the highest antibiotic resistant rate in FCB, with a multiple antibiotic resistance rate of 98.4%. These indicated that the Klebsiella pneumoniae not just Escherichia coli should be specially emphasized after WWTP concerning the health risk associated with FCB community.

The Effects of Operating Variables on Efficancy of Water Disinfection by Sodium Hypochlorite Using Al-Wathba Wastewater

The aim of this investigation was to study the impact of various reaction parameters on wastewater taken from Al-Wathba water treatment plant on Tigris River in south of Baghdad, Iraq with sodium hypochlorite solution. The parameters studied were sodium hypochlorite dose, contact time, initial fecal coliform bacteria concentration, temperature, and pH. In a batch reactor, different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite solution were used to disinfect 1L of water. The amount of hypochlorite ions in disinfected water was measured using an Iodimetry test for different reaction times, whereas the Most Probable Number (MPN) test was used to determine the concentration of coliform bacteria. Total Plate Count (TPC) was utilized in this study to count the number of colonies of common bacteria. Reaction variables that were examined showed that the increase in temperature, pH, and reaction time caused the concentration of Coliform bacteria to decrease, which in turn caused an accumulation-related increase in OCl- concentration. The optimum values of temperature and reaction pH were determined to be 8 and 29o C respectively. The kinetics of the reaction was examined in this study, and the results showed that Selleck model's order of reaction is two, with rate constants of 1.3791x10-5, 3.0806x10-5, and 5.738x10-5 L/(mole min) at 20o, 29o, and 37o C, respectively.

Sludge dewaterability enhancement under low temperature condition with cold-tolerant Bdellovibrio sp. CLL13

The dewatering performance of waste activated sludge (WAS) is generally deteriorated under low temperature due to the increase of viscosity, which would exacerbate the difficulties in sludge treatment and disposal. In this study, the cold-tolerant Bdellovibrio sp. CLL13 was successfully screened for efficient sludge biolysis, and it dramatically improved the sludge dewaterability while no significant biolysis effects were observed for the mesophilic BALO strain at 12 °C. The reduction rates of the sludge capillary suction time (CST), the specific resistance of filtration (SRF), the sludge dry weight, and the fecal coliform bacteria concentration at the optimal reaction time of 14 h were 40.1 ± 0.2%, 69.6 ± 0.7%, 7.7 ± 0.4%, and 78.5 ± 0.4%, respectively, when the mixed liquid suspended solids (MLSS) content was between 10.8 and 29.6 g/L, the input dosage of CLL13 was 8.8 × 106 PFU/mL sludge, and the DO level was 1.2 mg/L. Meanwhile, the viscosity reduction rate, the relative hydrophobicity increasement rate, and the bound water reduction rate were 20.3 ± 1.2%, 6.9 ± 0.7%, and 29.4 ± 1.0%, respectively. The ratios of protein content to polysaccharides content in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) decreased significantly. In addition, the degradation of the macromolecular substances in EPS and the increase of the soluble chemical oxygen demand, the total nitrogen, the total phosphorus, and the lactate dehydrogenase levels were observed. Therefore, the cold-tolerant CLL13 induced the sludge biolysis and compromised the negative effects of low temperature on the sludge dewatering performance, which should be beneficial for the efficient WAS biolysis treatment application in the near future under low temperature.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Activated Sludge Process in the Elimination Both ATB-Resistant and ATB-Susceptible E. coli Strains

Water reuse is now becoming a global necessity. However, one of the drawbacks in releasing wastewater into the environment is some persistent pollutants that are not completely removed in wastewater treatment plant. Residual bacteria and antibiotics in the inflowing wastewater can contribute to the antibiotic resistance spread in the aquatic environment. This study determined the effectiveness of activated sludge process for fecal coliform bacteria elimination, and also the Escherichia coli resistance to antimicrobial agents as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and metronidazole in treated wastewater. The research was carried out using the membrane filtration technique, and the susceptibility of isolates to antimicrobial agents was tested by the disc diffusion method. The concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli differed significantly depending on the seasonal period in which it was carried out. Despite up to 99% reduction in the number of sanitary indicators in biologically treated wastewater, 89% of E. coli isolates resistant to the tested antibiotics was found, while 100% of the isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. Most of the isolates showed resistance to trimethoprim, and the fewest isolates were resistant to ofloxacin, indicating that some strains may react differently to antibiotics.

Spatio temporal variation in octocoral assemblages along a water quality gradient in the northwestern region of Cuba

Rivers are the main sources of nutrients to coastal zones. Therefore, the effects of water quality degradation on octocoral assemblages and their relationship with microbiological and physical-chemical variables were determined in reefs close to river basins in the northwestern region of Cuba. The evaluations were carried out in 1 m2 frames at a depth of 10 m in 13 fore reefs. The highest concentrations of the microbiological variables and hydrochemicals and the lowest horizontal visibility in the water column were detected in the reefs near the river basins. The lowest richness, diversity and octocoral density were related to higher concentrations of fecal coliform, total coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria, sediment accumulation on the bottom and lower visibility. The structure of the octocoral assemblages varied significantly between reefs due to fecal organic pollution. Water quality deterioration in the reefs near the river basins has negatively affected the octocoral assemblages.

Sensitivity of fecal coliform bacteria transport to climate change in an agricultural watershed

Abstract Climate change is expected to have impacts on our surface water resources, especially on the deterioration of surface water quality. The objectives of this study were to develop a calibrated and validated watershed model for daily streamflow and daily fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) concentrations using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for the Big Sunflower River Watershed (BSRW) and to assess the sensitivity of FCB concentrations to changes in precipitation, temperature, and CO2 concentrations. The model demonstrated reasonable performances in simulating daily stream flow (R2 = 0.64–0.77, NSE = 0.57–0.75) and FCB concentrations (R2 = 0.56–0.60, NSE = 0.23–0.40) as compared to the previous literature. The one-at-a-time sensitivity analyses showed that average FCB concentrations were sensitive to changes in rainfall, temperature, and CO2 concentrations. Increased rainfall caused greater wash-off of FCB colonies from soil surfaces, while increased temperatures caused a decrease in surface water bacteria concentrations due to increased bacteria die-off rates. The CO2 concentration parameter was determined as the least sensitive parameter in this study.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and selected fecal microbiota are improved by β-glucan supplementation in weaner pigs

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary β-glucan supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal characteristics in weaner pigs. A total of 140 weaner pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight of 6.37±1.14 kg were allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) negative control (NC, basal diet); 2) positive control (PC, basal diet supplemented with 39 ppm Tiamulin); 3) basal diet supplemented with 0.1% β-glucan (G1); 4) basal diet supplemented with 0.2% β-glucan (G2). During days 22 to 42 and 1 to 42, pigs offered PC and G2 diets grew faster than those offered NC diet (P&lt;0.05). Additionally, during the same periods, pigs fed G2 and PC diets exhibited improved gain:feed ratio compared to pigs receiving NC and G1 diets (P&lt;0.05). Pigs fed G2 diet exhibited higher coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter than those fed NC diet (P&lt;0.05). There were no differences on blood profiles, fecal scores, fecal moisture, and fecal pH (P&gt;0.05). Fecal lactic acid bacteria counts in G2 treatment were higher compared with PC and NC treatments (P&lt;0.05). Coliform bacteria concentrations were decreased in pigs fed PC and G2 diets compared with those fed NC diet (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that dietary supplementation of 0.2% β-glucan can improve growth performance and dry matter digestibility, increase fecal lactic acid bacteria concentration but decrease fecal coliform bacteria concentration in weaner pigs.

Geostatistical Prediction of Microbial Water Quality Throughout a Stream Network Using Meteorology, Land Cover, and Spatiotemporal Autocorrelation

Predictive modeling is promising as an inexpensive tool to assess water quality. We developed geostatistical predictive models of microbial water quality that empirically modeled spatiotemporal autocorrelation in measured fecal coliform (FC) bacteria concentrations to improve prediction. We compared five geostatistical models featuring different autocorrelation structures, fit to 676 observations from 19 locations in North Carolina's Jordan Lake watershed using meteorological and land cover predictor variables. Though stream distance metrics (with and without flow-weighting) failed to improve prediction over the Euclidean distance metric, incorporating temporal autocorrelation substantially improved prediction over the space-only models. We predicted FC throughout the stream network daily for one year, designating locations "impaired", "unimpaired", or "unassessed" if the probability of exceeding the state standard was ≥90%, ≤10%, or >10% but <90%, respectively. We could assign impairment status to more of the stream network on days any FC were measured, suggesting frequent sample-based monitoring remains necessary, though implementing spatiotemporal predictive models may reduce the number of concurrent sampling locations required to adequately assess water quality. Together, these results suggest that prioritizing sampling at different times and conditions using geographically sparse monitoring networks is adequate to build robust and informative geostatistical models of water quality impairment.

Hydrogeological characterization and environmental effects of the deteriorating urban karst groundwater in a karst trough valley: Nanshan, SW China

The unique hydrogeology of karst makes the associated groundwater respond quickly to rainfall events and vulnerable to anthropogenic pollutions. In this study, high-frequency monitoring of spring discharge, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, along with monthly hydrochemical and microbial analyses, was undertaken at the outlet of Laolondong karst underground river in Nanshan, southwestern China. The aim was to explore the environmental effects of the catchment’s urban area on the karst groundwater resources. The monitoring data of a tracer test and the response of discharge to rainfall events demonstrate that conduits and narrow fissures coexist in the Laolongdong karst aquifer. The EC, Na+, Cl− and SO42− values (840 μS/cm, 33.7, 38.6 and 137.2 μg/L, respectively), along with high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria, at the outlet indicate considerable urban pollution in this area. The contaminants sulfate and nitrate showed different relationships with discharge and EC in different stages of a rainfall event. This behavior provided information about aquifer structure and the influence of transport properties. Meanwhile, the hydrological processes of groundwater flow could be modified by urbanization and result in increasing magnitude of urban floods in the underground river. In addition, sulfuric and nitric acids introduced by urbanization not only impact the karst groundwater quality, but also result in a significant perturbation to the carbon cycling system in the karst area.

Fecal Coliform Concentrations in the Upper Cohansey River Watershed Predicted by Air Temperature, Discharge, and Land Use

The Upper Cohansey River Watershed in southwestern New Jersey has a history of being affected by fecal coliform bacteria (FC). A study was undertaken to investigate the environmental factors associated with FC concentration. For 44% of samples taken throughout the watershed in 2012–2013, FC concentration exceeded the benchmark value. FC levels were related to air temperature, river discharge, and land use in stream buffers. Human sources of FC had been eliminated following research results published in 2009. Results of the study reported in this article suggest the need to further investigate wildlife sources of FC and to implement additional mitigation actions.

Fecal coliform bacteria and factors related to its growth at the Sekotong shallow wells (West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)

Background: The poor sanitation and small numbers of households who own toilet in Sekotong regency may relate to the diarrheal events due to the fecal coliform contamination in drinking water.Aim: This paper aims to provide the concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria in shallow well waters and the factors associated to its growth.Method: Fifteen groundwater samples were collected from 5 shallow wells to provide the concentrations of total fecal coliform bacteria (FC), mercury concentration, inorganic nitrogen compounds (represent as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved oxygen (D), pH, and salinity. The concentration of the parameters was then compared to the safe limit set by World Health Organization (WHO).Results: The results indicated that the drinking water resources at the Sekotong regency were contaminated by coliform and mercury. One location with low mercury concentration was recorded with E. coli contamination. Residence, agriculture, and animal livestock were subjected as the sources of coliform contamination. Mercury concentrations may inverse the growth of FC. No apparent relationship was found between total phosphorous and inorganic nitrogen compounds to FC growth. However, we recognized the FC growth responded positively to the level of phosphorous in waters, but associated negatively to nitrate concentration. An inverse correlation was also found between coliform survival and salinity in this study. The pH range at 6.05 – 6.50 supported FC survival.Conclusion: The drinking water resources at the Sekotong shallow wells were contaminated by coliform and mercury. It is important for local government to inform drinking water protection and treatment.

The Toxicological Effect on the Liver Function caused by Fecal Coliform Bacteria

This study was carried out on 80 male Swiss Webster Albino mice (MFI Strain) treated for 90 days with drinking well water contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria at four doses, control (0 colony/L), low dose (490 colonies/100 L), medium dose (1100 colonies/100 L) and high dose (2400 colonies/100 L) to test the bacterial effect on the liver functions. The animal blood plasma was tested for determination of the concentrations of the substances total proteins, glucose, creatine, bilirubin, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and the enzymes aspirate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The results indicated significant increase in the concentrations of the total proteins, lipoprotein, cholesterol, creatine and bilirubin and significant decrease in the concentration of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspirate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and in high density lipoprotein, triacylglycerol in the animal’s blood. The functions of the liver were affected by the toxicity resulting from the fecal coliform bacteria concentrations in the well drinking water particularly at the medium and high doses.

Evaluating Spatial and Temporal Variability of Fecal Coliform Bacteria Loads at the Pelahatchie Watershed in Mississippi

ABSTRACT Bacterial contaminations of surface waters are an increasing concern for scientists and public health agencies because pathogenic bacteria can cause adverse effects on human health. This research was performed to investigate spatial and seasonal variability of fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) concentrations in the Pelahatchie watershed (527 km2) in Mississippi, USA. Livestock manure, poultry litter, and effluent from failing septic systems were identified as major sources of FCB in the Pelahatchie watershed. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)/microbial sub-model was applied, and model-simulated FCB concentrations were compared with the monthly measured FCB concentrations (years 2001–2008) at the outlet of the watershed. New methodologies were introduced to incorporate bacteria loads into the bacteria model. Results showed coefficients of determination (R 2) of 0.71 to 0.75, and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency index (NSE) of 0.67 to 0.75 during the bacteria model's calibration and validation periods, respectively. Seasonal analysis of the model-simulated results determined the highest bacteria concentrations in January, whereas the lowest concentrations were simulated in June. Furthermore, the FCB contributions to the watershed outlet from the sources of contamination varied with time of year. This study will help watershed managers to implement best management practices for improvement of water quality.

Inference model derivation with a pattern analysis for predicting the risk of microbial pollution in a sewer system

Developing a mathematical model for predicting fecal coliform bacteria concentration is very important because it can provide a basis for water quality management decisions that can minimize microbial pollution risk to the public. This paper introduces a hybrid modeling methodology which is a combined use of a neural network-based pattern analysis and an evolutionary process model induction system. The neural network-based pattern analysis technique is applied to extract knowledge on inter-relationships between fecal coliform concentrations and other measurable variables in a sewer system. Based on the result of neural network-based pattern analysis, an evolutionary process model induction system is used to derive mathematical inference models that can predict fecal coliform bacteria concentration from easily measurable variables instead of directly measuring fecal coliform bacteria concentration in a sewer system. The neural network-based pattern analysis extracts that temperature and ammonia concentration are the most important driving forces leading to an increase in fecal coliform bacteria concentration in the sewer system at Paraparaumu City, New Zealand. Fecal coliform bacteria concentration is also positively correlated with dissolved phosphorus and inversely with flow rate. The multivariate inference models that are able to predict fecal coliform bacteria concentration are successfully derived as functions of flow rate, temperature, ammonia, and dissolved phosphorus in the form of understandable mathematical formulae using the evolutionary process model induction system, even if a priori mathematical knowledge of the dynamic nature of fecal coliform bacteria is poor. The multivariate inference models evolved by the evolutionary process model induction system produce a slightly better performance than the multi-layer perceptron neural network model.

The Impact of Summer Cattle Grazing on Surface Water Quality in High Elevation Mountain Meadows

Surface waters were tested before and after the arrival of cattle to summer grazing allotments for pathogenic bacteria indicators E. coli, fecal coliform bacteria, and total coliform bacteria in the high elevation mountains of the Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA. Water samples were collected from one control/ungrazed stream site and at four grazed stream sites before cattle grazing began and during the time when livestock were present. All sample sites were higher than 1900 meters in elevation. Samples were transported within 6 hours to a water analysis laboratory, where they were analyzed following standardized lab methods. Results showed that individual and average concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria in surface waters were below regulatory thresholds at the ungrazed site and at the grazed sites before cattle arrived. Mean fecal coliform concentration increased from 9 to 350 CFU/100 mL, and mean E. coli increased from 8 to 240 CFU/100 mL, respectively, after grazing. The increase in mean concentration of fecal coliform at each grazed site was significant (p<0.05). Total coliform bacteria and E. coli concentrations showed the same pattern. Cattle grazing in the sampled high elevation Sierra Nevada meadows resulted in a significant increase in indicator bacteria.

Diagnostic of physicochemical and bacteriological quality of fez wastewaters rejected in Sebou River: Morocco

The high demographic growth of the city of Fez, as well as the implantation of social districts in the periphery of the city, is leading to the deterioration of water quality of the Sebou River. This critical situation has considerable effects on the environment of Fez, where this river has become in its vicinity a sewer leading to various nuisances. The total pollution added by the city rises to 100,000 m3/day, it will reach 120,000 m3/day by 2015. Sebou River represents the main superficial network of Fez region. It is threatened currently by human activities such as urban, industrial and agricultural wastes. To evaluate water quality of this river, a study was carried out to determine the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters during the two seasons: winter (November 2006) and summer (July 2007). Results show a high level of pollution from various sources notably by Fez industrial wastewaters. Downstream discharges of the city and downstream the point of confluence of Fez stream and Sebou River, we note a low content in dissolved oxygen; high contents in suspended matter, nitrites and DBO5 and high conductivity, high concentrations in phosphates, sulphates and heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu and Zn). This study also presents an evaluation of the bacterial load in discharged wastewaters. The concentrations of fecal coliform and fecal streptococci bacteria exceed greatly the norms recommended by WHO.

Management of Microbial Contamination in Storm Runoff from California Coastal Dairy Pastures

A survey of storm runoff fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) from working farm and ranch pastures is presented in conjunction with a survey of FCB in manure management systems (MMS). The cross-sectional survey of pasture runoff was conducted on 34 pastures on five different dairies over 2 yr under varying conditions of precipitation, slope, manure management, and use of conservation practices such as vegetative filter strips. The MMS cross-sectional survey consisted of samples collected during 1 yr on nine different dairies from six loafing barns, nine primary lagoons, 12 secondary lagoons, and six irrigation sample points. Pasture runoff samples were additionally analyzed for Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia duodenalis, whereby detectable concentrations occurred sporadically at higher FCB concentrations resulting in poor correlations with FCB. Prevalence of both parasites was lower relative to high-use areas studied simultaneously on these same farms. Application of manure to pastures more than 2 wk in advance of storm-associated runoff was related to a > or =80% reduction in FCB concentration and load compared to applications within 2 wk before a runoff event. For every 10 m of buffer length, a 24% reduction in FCB concentration was documented. A one-half (75%), one (90%), and two (99%) log10 reduction in manure FCB concentration was observed for manure holding times in MMS of approximately 20, 66, and 133 d, respectively. These results suggest that there are several management and conservation practices for working farms that may result in reduced FCB fluxes from agricultural operations.

Nitrate and fecal coliform concentration differences at the soil/bedrock interface in Appalachian silvopasture, pasture, and forest

A major limitation to efficient forage-based livestock production in Appalachia is asynchrony of forage availability and quality with nutritional requirements of the grazer. Producers require dependable plant resources and management practices that improve the seasonal distribution and persistence of high quality herbage, sustainability and environmental integrity of the agricultural landscape. It was hypothesized that inorganic N and fecal coliform concentrations delivered in leachate to the soil/bedrock interface would be lowest in deciduous forest (HF) and highest in pasture (CP) with HF converted to silvopasture (SP) between the two. Piezometers were used to monitor water quality at the soil/bedrock interface under conventional pasture, SP, and hardwood forest. The pasture and SP were rotationally grazed by sheep during the spring to fall grazing season (2004–2008). Geometric mean fecal coliform bacteria concentrations (FC) were greatest in SP (18 FC 100 mL−1) with no difference between CP (7.5 FC 100 mL−1) and HF (5.6 FC 100 mL−1). Mean NO3-N concentration was lowest in SP (2.3 mg L−1) and greatest in CP (4.4 mg L−1) and HF (4.1 mg L−1), which were not significantly different. Mean NH4-N concentrations showed different trends with the lowest mean concentration in CP (0.5 mg L−1) and the greatest in SP (2.5 mg L−1) and HF (2.6 mg L−1), which were not significantly different. SP was shown to be a management option in the study area that reduces nitrate leaching, but should be considered cautiously in near-stream areas and near wells where fecal bacteria pollution can be problematic. This study makes an important contribution to our knowledge about interactions between landscape management and environmental quality of the Appalachian region. A diversity of land and forage management options are needed to maximize forage and livestock productivity while protecting surface and groundwater quality of the region.

Reducing microbial contamination in storm runoff from high use areas on California coastal dairies

High use areas are a fundamental part of California coastal dairies and grazing livestock ranches as feeding areas, nurseries, and sick pens. High stocking densities and daily use in these areas lead to soil surfaces devoid of vegetation and covered in manure, with high potential for manure transport during winter rains to receiving waters regulated for shellfish harvesting and recreation. We characterized the association between California's Mediterranean climate and a series of existing and proposed management practices on fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) transport from high use areas on dairies and ranches. Results from 351 storm runoff samples collected below 35 high-use areas indicate that removal of cattle during winter, locating high use areas on level ground, application of straw and seeding, and vegetative buffer strip implementation were significantly associated with FCB concentration and load reductions. These results complement our findings for reductions of specific pathogens in runoff from these areas. These findings have practical significance because they document surface water quality benefits that the studied management practices provide in application on working farms and ranches. This direction is critical and timely for on-farm management efforts seeking to reduce microbial pollution in runoff and comply with indicator bacteria water quality criteria.