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Types of Bacteria in Storm Drains

Water that flows over the ground when it rains, or when ice and snow melt, is called stormwater. Some stormwater seeps into the ground. Water running over paved surfaces such as roads, sidewalks and parking lots flows into storm drains. Storm drain water is then discharged into creeks, rivers and lakes. Storm drain water contaminants, including bacteria, endanger human health.

  1. Coliform Bacteria

    • Coliform bacteria are commonly found in nature. These bacteria exist in soil, animal manure and on vegetation. Some bacteria reside in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. Genera include Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Serratia. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), coliforms generally do not cause disease, but since some of them are present in human and animal feces, they may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms, called pathogens.

    Fecal E. coli

    • Fecal coliforms are a specific group of coliform bacteria indigenous to the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans. These coliforms indicate the presence of fecal contamination in stormwater. E. coli is a common fecal microorganism. Like coliforms in general, most strains of E. coli are not likely to cause disease. E. coli 015:H7 is a disease-causing strain that, according to the Mayo Clinic, causes severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and in the young and elderly, possible kidney failure.

    Fecal Streptococci

    • Fecal streptococci are a group of organisms that, like E. coli, are normal inhabitants of warm-blooded animal digestive tracts. Enterococci, a subgroup of fecal strep, are more human-specific and, unlike other fecal organisms, survive in salt water. The EPA recommends testing for enterococci in salt water used for recreational purposes. Enterococci can cause urinary tract, wound and blood infections.

    Other Pathogens

    • In addition to E. coli 0157:H7, the EPA lists Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Leptospira, Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia entercolitica as possible stormwater drain pathogens. E. coli, Salmonella and Yersinia from animal feces, and Shigella and Vibrio from human feces, cause diarrheal diseases. Campylobacter from bird feces also causes acute diarrhea. Leptospira, found in dog, livestock and wild animal urine, causes fever and jaundice.

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