The Rosemere Neighborhood Association, through a Freedom of Information Act request, has obtained a copy of a test called “Burnt Bridge Creek Microbial Source Tracking; Identification of Sources of Microbial Pollution in Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed,” dated October 1999. The RNA obtained a copy of this report through the Freedom of Information Act.
TO SEE THE FULL REPORT CLICK HERE: Burnt Bridge Creek Microbial Source Tracking – October 1999
The Southwest Washington Health District could not locate a copy of the test in its own files. The Environmental Protection Agency asked the city for its copy of this report, and the city could not find the report either. The Microbial Study was outsourced to the University of Washington Department of Environmental Health for DNA sequencing. The fact that this report is missing in the county and city archives is highly irregular, especially since the test was very expensive to the taxpayers. The Rosemere Neighborhood Association has requested a copy of the invoice that paid for this test from City coffers.
The report acknowledges that it was prepared specifically for and funded by the City of Vancouver Department of Public Works (headed by Victor Ehrlich). The report was also prepared for the Southwest Washington Health District. Please note that the copy of this test received by the Rosemere Neighborhood Association is stamped “DRAFT.”
These test results clearly indicate, as alleged by the Rosemere Title VI complaint, that environmental contamination and human health risks stem from the presence of failing septic systems in the Burnt Bridge Creek basin (including the Rosemere Neighborhood), and that the City of Vancouver should work to eliminate the septic tanks within the basin in order to avert this identified source of pollution. Once it was discovered, the Rosemere Neighborhood Association delivered a copy of this report to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Attached below are main points of interest that have been culled out of the report. Please note, this report was never made public until Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s request for information.
Statements taken directly from the “Burnt Bridge Creek Microbial Source Tracking; Identification of Sources of Microbial Pollution in Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed:”
The Abstract of the report states the following:
1) Violation of the fecal coliform standard and other standards for Class A Streams have placed Burnt Bridge Creek in the EPA 303d List of Impaired or Threatened Water Bodies.
2) This fecal test was conducted in two phases: the first from July 1996 to February 1997, and the second from May of 1998 to March of 1999.
3) The most frequently identified source of E. Coli bacteria in Burnt Bridge Creek is of human origin.
4) As the creek flows westward, the identified E. Coli from humans increases from NE 137th Street, near the headwaters, at 4.4% to 20% at NE 2nd Avenue.
5) The data strongly indicates that the source of human E. Coli in Burnt Bridge Creek is from septic tank systems and not sanitary sewer lines.
6) Recommendations for the control of microbiological pollution in the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed include (among others): reducing the number of septic tank systems in the watershed, especially those nearest to the creek.
The Overview of the report reads:
The present study is part of a larger effort by the City of Vancouver to develop a comprehensive Waster Systems Master Plan, which aims at protecting and managing water resources within the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed.
The Background section of the report reads:
Several studies have shown water quality deterioration in the Burnt Bridge Creek and its tributaries. A study and management plan developed for Burnt Bridge Creek in 1977 identified septic tank effluent as a major source of pollution to the creek and called for elimination of septic systems in the basin. Agricultural activities, runoffs, and wildlife also impact the watershed.
Section 1.3 reads:
The water table (of Burnt Bridge Creek) lays 10-100 feet underground. The Burnt Bridge Creek aquifers are the main source of water for the City of Vancouver and many industrial users in the area. A USGS survey in 1988 showed that 1/3 of the ground water used (by the city) is from the Burnt Bridge Creek aquifer…it has been estimated that there are 6,900 septic systems in the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin (not counting Hazel Dell Sewer District which has thousands more).
Section 2.1 reads:
Numerous human pathogens are spread by fecal contamination of water. Examples are Vibrio Cholera, Salmonella Typhi, Giardia Lamblia, Cryptospordium Parvum, E. Coli and Hepatitis A. These pathogens can be at risk to human health even at very low concentrations…The group of bacteria referred to as fecal coliforms meet these criteria.
Section 3.2 reads:
The results indicate that the sources of microbial pollution in Burnt Bridge Creek and Cold Creek (tributary to Burnt Bridge Creek) in the order of their significance are: humans (12.7%), cows (6.8%), dogs (7.4%), ducks (5.7%), avian (5.7%), cats (5.1%) opossums (4.2%), raccoons (4.2%), rodents (4.2%), geese (3.4%), sea gull (3.2%), crows (1.5%), horses (1.1%) and beavers (0.2%)…human related sources will become the major contributor in the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed, accounting for 25.2% of the microbial load identified in the Creek. Avian sources follow at 17.8%, urban wild life at (12.6%) and agricultural sources at 7.9% for E. Coli pollution load…It appears that agricultural impact in the creek basin is on the decline while urban and wildlife impacts are increasing.
Section 3.3 reads:
All but four of the human clones seen in the water samples were matches to septic tank samples. The data strongly suggests that sewer lines are not contributing to the levels of microbial pollution seen in Burnt Bridge Creek.
Section 4.0, Recommendations, reads:
The human sources of microbial pollution appear to be the major contributor of Burnt Bridge Creek E. Coli. Furthermore, the majority of the human matches are to E. Coli clones found in septic tanks. Reducing the number of septic tanks in the watershed, especially in areas close to Burnt Bridge Creek, may result in improving the water quality of Burnt Bridge Creek. In addition, the threat of infection by human pathogens from contact with water in Burnt Bridge Creek will be reduced…Aside from (avian) contributions of fecal coliforms to the creek, they can also act as reservoirs for human pathogens in the watershed…The planting of trees along the banks of the Burnt Bridge Creek will provide more shading and reduce stream temperatures. Reducing stream temperatures during the summer months reduces the potential for regrowth of fecal coliform in Burnt Bridge Creek… Increasing the stream flow (via the introduction of high quality ground water through pumping and aeration) could improve the stream’s water quality and help to reduce the concentration and regrowth of fecal coliform.
