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Development of a recreational beach notification value for an E.coli qPCR method for the state of Michigan
Citation:
Haugland, R., K. Oshima, M. Sivaganesan, S. Nappier, B. Schnitker, AND S. Briggs. Development of a recreational beach notification value for an E.coli qPCR method for the state of Michigan. 2019 State of Lake Huron (SOLH) Conference, Saginaw, Michigan, October 09 - 11, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
Inform international public health officials and scientists on the current status of EPA efforts to support implementation of rapid recreational beach monitoring by quantitative PCR methods in Michigan.
Description:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has assisted the State of Michigan (MI) in developing a laboratory network with the capability of using EPA's E. coli quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based method (Draft Method C) for monitoring microbial water quality at recreational beaches. To implement the method, an appropriate Beach Notification Value (BNV) was needed. EPA collaborated with the MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy in collecting monitoring data from three recreational seasons (2016-2018) to establish the relationships between the State's E. coli culture method (ColilertTM) and Draft Method C. Statewide BNVs for Draft Method C were determined from paired measurements of 2092 eligible samples from 39 eligible beaches. EPA evaluated two statistical approaches: Ordinary Least Squares and Bayesian Hierarchical regressions. EPA further assessed the potential effects of implementing a statewide BNV for Draft Method C on rates of beach advisories in Michigan. This work allowed MI to implement Draft Method C statewide during the 2019 summer recreational season.