Bacteria is a very important parameter than can be monitored through Dakota Water Watch. Our program checks for a specific type of Bacteria, Escherichia coli commonly known as E. coli. E. coli is often found in water contaminated with fecal material, and while a harmful bacteria itself, can also be an indicator of other disease-causing organisms. Although South Dakota does not presently have a water quality standard based on E. coli, an effort to make it a regulated parameter is currently under way. Meanwhile, samples high in E. coli draw attention to potential problems at a particular monitoring site and allow it to be more specifically and thoroughly tested.

All significant water bodies can be monitored for bacteria including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Individual volunteers choose which sites they would like to monitor and can do so from shore, from a dock, or from a boat. Currently there are 22 bacteria monitors who monitored in 2008. These people sampled sites on Split Rock Creek, Park Creek, and the Big Sioux River as well as Lakes Brant, Herman, Kampeska, Madison, Pelican, Round, Andes and Grass Lake. On average volunteers take between six and ten samples each year. Samples are taken once a month between April and October. Each sampling event typically takes about one hour. Each monitor sets his or her own scheule and coordinates with a mini lab operator who cultures the

bacteria samples. Additionally, volunteers try to take two samples after storm events. Mini labs are operated by volunteers also, and are currently located in several locations throughout eastern South Dakota as well as here at the East Dakota Water Development District office in Brookings. If you would like, we can provide you with the training and equipment to be a mini lab operator yourself. Many volunteers choose to also take screening and baseline monitoring measurements in while bacteria monitoring.