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and streptococci bacteria for an inflow to Elk River at Wapiti Campground and an inflow to Lake <br /> 0 <br /> Orono from a subdivision sedimentation pond with adjacent lands containing recently spread <br /> straw mulching. The straw mulch may have been used as bedding for livestock. The <br /> concentration of fecal coliforms at the Lake Orono Beach was 70 organisms/100 ml. Other <br /> samples collected by the City between August 18, 1997 and September 8, 1997 were in the <br /> 200 - 400 organisms/100 ml range. <br /> By monitoring both fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS) concentrations and <br /> evaluating the ratio of FC/FS, information regarding the origin of the fecal contamination can be <br /> obtained. The FC/FS ratio for domestic animals is less than 1.0, whereas the ratio for human <br /> beings is more than 4.0 (Wastewater Engineering Treatment/Disposal/Reuse, Metcalf and Eddy, <br /> Inc., 1979). The data show low FC/FS ratios indicating fecal material from non-human sources. <br /> FC/FS ratios from "Lake Orono City Beach" and "Inflow to Lake Orono from Subdivision" are <br /> 1.17 and } 2.86 respectively. This could indicate a differential die-off of indicator organisms • <br /> where the fecal streptococci die off more rapidly than the fecal coliforms. High fecal coliform <br /> concentrations at Lake Orono City Beach may be due to a high goose population in and around <br /> the beach, or it may be related to precipitation events flushing fecal coliforms into the Elk River <br /> from an upstream source. Additional monitoring next year is required to better evaluate the <br /> source of the fecal coliform contamination. <br /> • <br /> N W 593\OI\ELK RI VER.RPT-NCW 15 <br />