Quantifying the influence of hydro-meteorological variability on surface source water fecal
contamination is critical to the maintenance of safe drinking water. Historically, this has
not been possible due to the scarcity of data on fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). We examined
the relationship between hydro-meteorological variability and the most commonly
measured FIB, fecal coliform (FC), concentration for 43 surface water sites within the
hydro-climatologically complex region of British Columbia. The strength of relationship
was highly variable among sites, but tended to be stronger in catchments with nival
(snowmelt-dominated) hydro-meteorological regimes and greater land-use impacts. We
observed positive relationships between inter-annual FC concentration and hydrometeorological
variability for around 50% of the 19 sites examined. These sites are likely
to experience increased fecal contamination due to the projected intensification of the
hydrological cycle. Seasonal FC concentration variability appeared to be driven by snowmelt
and rainfall-induced runoff for around 30% of the 43 sites examined. Earlier snowmelt
in nival catchments may advance the timing of peak contamination, and the projected
decrease in annual snow-to-precipitation ratio is likely to increase fecal contamination
levels during summer, fall, and winter among these sites. Safeguarding drinking water
quality in the face of such impacts will require increased monitoring of FIB and waterborne
pathogens, especially during periods of high hydro-meteorological variability. This data
can then be used to develop predictive models, inform source water protection measures,
and improve drinking water treatment.
Quantifying the influence of hydro-meteorological variability on surface source water fecal
contamination is critical to the maintenance of safe drinking water. Historically, this has
not been possible due to the scarcity of data on fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). We examined
the relationship between hydro-meteorological variability and the most commonly
measured FIB, fecal coliform (FC), concentration for 43 surface water sites within the
hydro-climatologically complex region of British Columbia. The strength of relationship
was highly variable among sites, but tended to be stronger in catchments with nival
(snowmelt-dominated) hydro-meteorological regimes and greater land-use impacts. We
observed positive relationships between inter-annual FC concentration and hydrometeorological
variability for around 50% of the 19 sites examined. These sites are likely
to experience increased fecal contamination due to the projected intensification of the
hydrological cycle. Seasonal FC concentration variability appeared to be driven by snowmelt
and rainfall-induced runoff for around 30% of the 43 sites examined. Earlier snowmelt
in nival catchments may advance the timing of peak contamination, and the projected
decrease in annual snow-to-precipitation ratio is likely to increase fecal contamination
levels during summer, fall, and winter among these sites. Safeguarding drinking water
quality in the face of such impacts will require increased monitoring of FIB and waterborne
pathogens, especially during periods of high hydro-meteorological variability. This data
can then be used to develop predictive models, inform source water protection measures,
and improve drinking water treatment.
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