Lowering Levels of Total Coliform in Wastewater Lagoons and Decorative Ponds

What are Total Coliforms?

Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are widespread in nature. All members of the total coliform group can occur in human feces, but some can be present in animal manure, soil and submerged wood and in other places outside the human body (1). Types of total coliform include Citrobacter, Kiebsiella, Citrobacter, and fecal coliform like E. Coli. Fecal coliform is most commonly found in a wastewater process, and its removal is highly important.

Fecal Coliform provides a risk because of the many diseases that spread through fecal transmission. When there are large numbers of fecal coliform, there is a possibility of the presence of pathogenic bacteria as well. This gives us high reason to remove fecal matter in all water applications. Wastewater lagoons and ponds generally control fecal by photo-oxidation via sunlight and aeration.

Fecal contaminants enter wastewater facilities through domestic and household waste, but pond owners can also find themselves in an up rise in coliform. It comes from waste of farm animals that is released and washed into steams by runoff from rain or irrigation. Waste from urban areas can enter streams, creeks and lakes during storms and high water flow. Fecal coliform can also enter from poorly functioning sewer lines, septic tanks, and even poorly ran wastewater plants (2).

Removal of total coliform in both wastewater and decorative ponds can be obstructed by grow of organics and muck. Rapid development of algae may reduce the fecal removal efficiency of ponds in that short wavelengths of solar radiation are unable to penetrate such highly turbid systems (3). In short, the sun cannot reach the fecal coliform contaminants. Aquafix provides catalysts to clarify the water, and while the water clears, the fecal removal may drastically improve.

Aquafix introduces catalysts and bacteria to clarify the water, degrade muck, and digest dead organics, all which attribute to the survival of fecal bacteria in ponds. Aquafix provides the latest in safe and natural products to compete with organics that obstruct sunlight. With the introduction of these catalysts, fecal bacteria and contaminants will be better susceptible to photo-oxidation from the sun.

How to Reduce Total Coliforms in Lagoons and Ponds:

1. Mixing a chelated copper algaecide with PondZilla Pro will help eliminate total coliforms in lakes and ponds.  The chelated copper is known to kill coliform organics, and the PondZilla Pro will speed up the process of degradation.  PondZilla Pro is a specialized catalyst to clarify water. It accelerates the decomposition of dead organic matter and recycles nutrients quickly. PondZilla Pro starts a process where the naturally occurring bacteria and aquatic fungus can take over. It is a fantastic adjuvant to algaecides. Call or order PondZilla Pro online!
2. VitaStim MD Pellets is made to reduce muck. These slow-release pellets sink down into the muck to deliver powerful biostimulants and indigenous bacteria. This will continue to clarify the water. (Call for more information on MD Pellets)
3. Aquafix offers a range of bacterial solutions for both wastewater and decorative ponds to help reduce nutrients to organics and clarify the water. In this process the introduced bacteria and biostimulants degrades waste, sludge and BOD.

Before and After of Pond Clarity

References

1. 1. “What are fecal bacteria and why are they important.” 2012. http://water.epa.gov
   2. Jolley, Louwanda “What is Fecal Coliform? Why is it Important?” Clemson University. 2014
      http://www.clemson.edu
   3. Ansa, Ebenezer D. O.; Lubberding, Henk J.; and Gijzen, Huub J., “Fecal Coliform Removal In Algal-Based Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems” 2008.Paper 37. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ucowrconfs_2008/37