Microbial DNA Source Tracking of the Farm River: The ESDHD is collaborating with the Weston­Westport Health Department and the Darian Health Department in a study that will help to determine the of the Long Island Sound water quality. The Long Island Sound is an estuary of national significance and its' water quality is dependent upon the many tributaries that flow into it. Numerous streams, rivers, and Non­Point Sources (NPS) = surface runoff pollution find their way into the Sound.
The purpose of this water quality monitoring is to identify storm water and non-point sources of bacteria with an end goal to eliminate all local sources of contamination. At this time, when the Long Island Sound is sampled and elevated levels of bacteria are found, the required course of action is either issue an advisory or closure. The purpose of sampling the Farm River as part of the Microbial Source Tracking study is to differentiate the bacterial species to determine the true source(s). This will allow a better use of manpower by targeting where we should direct our resources. Neither the CT Department of Public Health State Lab nor the Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Lab can differentiate between animal and human bacteria. The Earthwise Lab will prepare and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) will analyze the water samples and test for DNA snippets.