U.S. Water News Online
REHOBETH, Del. -- Delaware scientists this summer plan to use DNA tests that eventually could be used to determine specific pollution sources.
The information could then be used to post warnings for swimmers and boaters.
In a three-prong testing program, the state will increase the number of test sites in the inland bays to include boat launch areas and spots where creeks empty into Rehoboth, Little Assawoman and Indian River bays.
The state also will test for specific microorganisms and viruses that could make people sick and continue sampling key spots in the Inland Bays for harmful algaes and potentially toxic microbes.
Over the next several years, the testing will give a comprehensive look at pollution in waters that are widely used by swimmers and boaters, said Jack Pingree, manager of the state shellfish and recreational water branch for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
``Virtually every water body in the state has high bacterial loads,'' said Sam Myoda, a state environmental engineer. ``We want to find out why.''
The data will eventually be used to set maximum daily pollution limits for water ways.
Pingree said it could ultimately play an important role in recreational-water monitoring.
Myoda will work with the state Division of Public Health and the University of Delaware to begin sampling potential sources of bacteria.
They plan to look at everything from specific sewer plant discharges and septic systems to manure from chickens, sea gulls and even dogs and cats.
They will use DNA testing to find the identifying markers that distinguish the human waste treated at the Rehoboth Beach Waste Water Treatment Plant from that of sea gulls and chickens.
Myoda said they plan to create a library of data that can be used to broadly identify sources of pollution.
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