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The MPCA, working with stakeholders, developed a checklist for conducting an inventory of bacteria sources. The checklist is not a permit requirement but may be used to meet permit requirements. This page provides guidance and supporting information for the checklist.
Link
Link to the checklist: File:Checklist for bacteria source inventory.xlsx
Structure of the checklist
The checklist contains four worhsheets.
- Information
- Checklist
- Useful links
- Dropdowns
These are discussed below.
Information worksheet
This sheet provides basic general information about the checklist.
Checklist
Screen shot of the bacteria source inventory worksheet. Click on image to enlarge.
This is the sheet where users enter information. Column A contains different categories of bacteria sources and specific sources within each category. The categories include the following.
- MS4 infrastructure
- Municipal sanitary infrastructure
- Other human sanitary sources
- Domestic pets
- Urban wildlife
- Other urban sources
- Urban non-stormwater discharges
- Recreational sources
- Agricultural sources
- Other sources
Columns B through G are where users input information.
- Column B: Inventory status. The user chooses from a dropdown list containing the following options - Completed, On-going, Planned this permit cycle, Not planned for this permit cycle, Not applicable. Completed means the practice has been fully implemented. On-going means the practice is being implemented but is not fully implemented. The two options pertaining to permit cycle only apply to MS4 permittees.
- Column C: Mapped. The user chooses from a dropdown list containing the following options - Yes, No, Partly. If a user has mapped or partially mapped the practice, consider describing the type of mapping in the Notes section (e.g. GIS).
- Column D: Priority. The user chooses from a dropdown list containing the following options - low, medium, high. The user indicates if the activity is a low, medium, or high priority.
- Column E: Implementation practices. The user can select a specific practice from a dropdown list or enter a user-specified value. The options are Water quality monitoring, Installation of pet waste bags, Elimination of over-spray irrigation, Street sweeping, Infiltration BMPs, Waterfowl management, Other, and NA (not applicable).
- Column F: Notes. The user can provide additional information in this column.
- Column G: Public outreach component. The user selects from a dropdown list with the options Yes or No. This applies to MS4 permittees who are attempting to meet Minimum Control Measures 1 or 2.
Supporting information
This section provides some basic information about each of the potential sources included in the checklist. Where appropriate we include links where additional information can be found.
MS4 Infrastructure - Impervious surface runoff
MS4 Infrastructure - Illegal dumping
MS4 Infrastructure - Street litter/decaying plant matter
MS4 Infrastructure - Illicit connections to MS4
MS4 Infrastructure - Excessive irrigation/overspray
MS4 Infrastructure - Biofilms/regrowth in MS4
MS4 Infrastructure - Leaky sewer pipes
MS4 Infrastructure - Grass areas draining to MS4s
Municipal Sanitary Infrastructure - Combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
Combined sewer systems (CSS) are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. During wet weather conditions, the volume of stormwater runoff can exceed the capacity of the CSS infrastructure, including both the piping system and/or the treatment plant. This is common where where older CSS infrastructure is in place, combining sanitary and storm drain flows. When the capacity of the CSS is exceeded, excess water can bypass treatment and bypassed flow will be mixed with the treated water prior to disinfection and just prior to discharge to the receiving water. While both stormwater runoff and sanitary sewer discharges contain bacteria, concentrations are much higher in untreated sewage. Thus, CSOs can lead to very high concentrations of bacteria in water delivered to receiving waters. For more information, see [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].
Municipal Sanitary Infrastructure - Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs)
Municipal Sanitary Infrastructure - Sanitary sewer inflow and infiltration (I&I)
Municipal Sanitary Infrastructure - Illicit sanitary connections to MS4s
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Porta-potties (poorly maintained)
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Leaky sewer pipes
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Leaky/failing septic systems
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Homeless encampments
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Dumpsters
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Trash cans
Other Human Sanitary Sources - Garbage trucks
Domestic pets - Dog parks
Domestic pets - Dogs, cats, etc. residential
Urban wildlife - Rodents/vectors
Urban wildlife - Birds/bird congregation areas (gulls, geese, pigeons)
Urban wildlife - Open space
Other urban sources - Landfills
Other urban sources - Food processing facilities
Other urban sources - Outdoor dining
Other urban sources - Restaurant grease bins
Other urban sources - Bars/stairwells (washdown areas)
Other urban sources - Road construction
Other urban sources - Piers/docks
Urban non-stormwater discharges - Power washing
Urban non-stormwater discharges - Car washing
Urban non-stormwater discharges - Pools/hot tubs
Urban non-stormwater discharges - Reclaimed water/gray water
Recreational sources - Bathers/boaters
Recreational sources - RVs (mobile)
Agricultural sources - Livestock/manure storage
Agricultural sources - Livestock, pasture
Agricultural sources - Livestock, corrals
Agricultural sources - Livestock (CAFOs)
Agricultural sources - Manure spreading
Agricultural sources - Municipal biosolids reuse
Agricultural sources - Reclaimed water/gray water
Agricultural sources - Irrigation tailwater
Agricultural sources - Slaughterhouses
Other sources - Grazing
Other sources - Streambank erosion
Other sources - Wildlife populations
Other sources - Other (describe in notes)
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