Microbiology
Microbiology
By Dr. Stephanie Harris
The Microbiology Team at the Region 10 Laboratory has extensive capability in bacteriology, microscopy and protozoology. The Team has supported several programs within the Region, as well as provided technical and analytical support to national and international programs. The Team has both stationary and mobile laboratory capabilities which can be utilized by the Regional Office in support of its programs and regulatory partners.
In the stationary laboratory, we can conduct most routine bacteriological analyses in drinking water, ambient water, recreational water and wastewater, including total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Aeromonas spp and Enterococci. Programs which have used these capabilities in the past include NPDES, Drinking Water, BEACHes, and CAFOs. The Team maintains Drinking Water Certification status in support of these programs. The main laboratory has additional capabilities not found in most environmental laboratories, or within other EPA Regions, such as:
- Giardia and Cryptosporidium analysis of drinking water and ambient waters;
- Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) , a method developed at this laboratory, which uses advanced microscopic techniques to evaluate ground waters that are under direct influence of surface water; and
- Filtration Plant Optimization (FPO), which aids water treatment plant operators in determining the efficiency of their filtration plants using advanced microscopic techniques.
The Team is also developing expertise in coliphage analysis of drinking water, a technique which will be used under the Ground Water Disinfection Rule. Coliphage (bacterial viruses) are used as a surrogate for the presence of enteric viruses in water, and are thought to be a better indicator of fecal contamination than fecal coliform and E. coli. In addition, the Team is developing the capability for analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a molecular method used to determine the presence of pathogens in water and wastewater. One use for this technology that is being pursued by ORD is microbial source tracking or identification; a procedure used to determine the source of fecal contamination in a Clean Water Act §303d listed water body.
The mobile microbiology laboratory is a completely self-contained laboratory with the capability to conduct analyses for most of the bacteria listed above while in the field. This mobile capability is of special importance in situations where the samples have an extremely short holding time, such as NPDES or CAFOs inspections.
The Laboratory’s Microbiology Team is comprised of two experienced microbiologists and is available to assist with other programmatic needs. The senior microbiologist is a certification officer in EPA’s Drinking Water Certification program and is available to assist inspectors in the evaluation of POTW and drinking water laboratories for compliance purposes. The Team has also provided technical training to laboratory personnel, within Region 10 as well as outside, in microbial methodologies and has provided technical assistance and training to NPDES permit writers and inspectors.