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Influence of Artificial Drainage on Penetration of Coliform Bacteria from Septic Tank Effluents into Wet Tile Drained Soils¹

ABSTRACT

The penetration of total and fecal coliform bacteria from septic tank drainage fields into wet tile drained soils classified as Typic and Aeric Ochraquults was studied during 1974, 1975, and 1976. These bacteria were monitored in ground waters at selected distances from the septic tank drainage fields in the direction of ground water flow and were compared to coliform densities in control wells and in tile outfalls. Fecal coliform densities were approximately 10⁵/100 ml in ground waters adjacent to the disposal area as compared to 10¹–10³/100 ml 152 cm from the agricultural tile and <3.0/100 ml in control wells. The outfall from the study area was normally < 200 fecals/100 ml compared to < 3.0/100 ml in outfall waters from a control area. Fecal coliform densities of the outfall from the study area were some tenfold less than the bacterial quality of the receiving stream. Coliform densities in ground waters decreased as a logarithmic function of distance.

In these soils, artificial drainage systems apparently lowered the seasonal fluctuating water tables to such a degree that individual waste water treatment systems did not fail as a result of untreated or partially treated effluent coming to the surface. It is more difficult to access the adequacy of artificial drainage with respect to penetration of coliform organisms present in the waste waters.

Key Words: total coliform • fecal coliform • biological contaminants • water pollution • ground water

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Agronomy, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061. This work was supported by the Virginia Dep. of Health. 24 Jan. 1977.

² Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ.