Source Molecular Speaks at 2017 SWS Conference

Miami, FL, November 24, 2017 --(PR.com)-- More than 300 stormwater professionals gathered at the 2017 Storm Water Solutions SWS Conference and Exhibition held November 7 to 9 at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Illinois.

Source Molecular Corporation’s Haley Gershon gave a presentation on “Evidence-Based Guidelines for Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Projects.” Particularly, she noted, people often blame MS4 permittees for pollution problems in waterbodies where they are discharging.

To avoid facing steep fines, permittees must prove that they are not the source of the pollution. MST results can be used as evidence they are in compliance with their permits. Furthermore, Ms. Gershon shared lessons learned and outcomes achieved in MST projects that Source Molecular was involved in.

Ms. Gershon and her colleague Daron Stein met with stormwater professionals from around the country at the SWS conference. They also discussed how MST can help stormwater managers with their bacteria contamination problems.

Identifying E. coli Sources
Steve Gruber at Burns & McDonnell Engineering talked about “Identifying Sources of E. coli in Urban Environments.” Mr. Gruber shared the City of Minneapolis’s bacterial source identification study. The study sought to identify the sources of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the Minnehaha Creek and the surrounding watershed in Hennepin County.

According to Mr. Gruber, the city used a multiple lines of evidence approach to identify E. coli sources. Results showed that sources of E. coli included bird and (to a lesser extent) dog feces. Moreover, they did not find meaningful levels of E. coli from human origin. Mr. Gruber added that the City is still evaluating best management practices to reduce E. coli concentrations in the creek.

Source Molecular has an official license from the US EPA to use their patented genetic testing methods. Specifically, the EPA tests can detect human, canine, cattle and chicken fecal pollution. The EPA-patented MST tests are more sensitive than previous PCR assays. Its laboratory can also identify eight other host sources, specifically Swine, Gull, Goose, Elk, Horse, Bird, Beaver and Ruminant. Source Molecular uses only the most scientifically rigorous molecular analytical methods.

Let Source Molecular help you identify the bacteria sources polluting your watershed. Call or schedule a time to talk with Source Molecular at your earliest convenience.