This pilot project aims to engage residents in raising awareness about water quality and invites them to suggest locations where they want to determine if the water is safe for swimming. Once these locations are submitted, Miami Waterkeeper employees will collect and analyze the data and then share the findings with the public. By gathering community feedback and providing a platform for residents to identify areas of interest, we aim to deliver targeted scientific information that directly addresses their concerns about water safety.
The primary goal is to engage the community and offer bacterial information. Specifically, the project will answer the question: Are enterococci bacteria levels below 70 CFU/ MPN per 100ml in the submitted locations?
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are microbes that are often found alongside harmful bacteria and viruses present in fecal matter. While FIBs themselves do not directly cause illness, their presence suggests that pathogenic organisms may be in the water. E. coli is the recommended indicator for freshwater environments, while enterococci are used for saltwater.
The EPA has established the following guidelines for safe swimming conditions:
This project aims to provide information about enterococci bacteria in local water bodies. The study will occur once, focusing on locations suggested by community members. It will be conducted during the wet season, characterized by higher stormwater runoff, which can lead to higher environmental variability. Alongside assessing enterococci bacteria levels, the project will analyze water characteristics such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, and salinity. By examining these factors across different community locations, the project seeks to enhance understanding of water health in Miami.
Miami Water Keepers participated in the Vizcaya Farmer’s Market, where community members suggested 11 sites for water quality analysis. Out of these, 6 sites were selected for sample collection based on whether they were accessible. We did not select sites that were already sampled by other organizations.
| Sample Site | Date and Time | Pass or Fail | Enterococci MPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra | 7/22/2024, 8:30:00 AM | Pass | 31 |
| Twin Lakes | 7/22/2024, 8:45:00 AM | Fail | 295 |
| Vizcaya | 7/22/2024, 9:55:00 AM | Pass | 20 |
| Tamiami | 7/22/2024, 8:26:00 AM | Fail | 122 |
| Snapper Creek | 7/22/2024, 9:13:00 AM | Fail | 86 |
| Virginia Key Lake | 7/22/2024, 10:15:00 AM | Pass | 15 |
Three of the six sites sampled met the acceptable criteria for enterococci levels, while three did not. The sites closer to the coast generally exhibited lower enterococci levels, indicating better water quality, whereas the inland sites showed higher levels. This pattern suggests that coastal influences contribute to improved water quality in terms of enterococci levels compared to inland areas. The elevated enterococci levels at inland sites may indicate potential sources of contamination or distinct environmental conditions affecting water quality. These findings highlight the importance of considering location and proximity to the coast in water quality assessments and underscore the need for enhanced water management practices in inland areas.