Miami Beach Sources of EnterococciSources of Enterococci to Park View Canal in Miami Beach
Presentation given by
Helena Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor, University of Miami
March 27, 2023
Larissa Montas, Ph.D.
Afeefa Abdool-Ghany, M.S.
Yutao Chen, M.S.
Erik Lamm
Ashley Quijada
Rivka Reiner
Hekai Zhang, M.S.
N
Park View Canal
(PVC)
is a secondary
canal with limited
flow
located within
Biscayne Bay.
Biscayne Bay
Historic Enterococci Concentrations in PVC Canal
70
Objectives
●From where are the enterococci coming from?
●How enterococci from humans, dogs, and birds enter the waterway?
○Geographic area
○Fresh versus marine water
○Environmental conditions associated with elevated enterococci (rain, tide, sunlight)
Our Approach
Sampling Efforts Included:
•Evaluate Historical Records
(Miami Beach has made considerable efforts)
•Initiate Sampling Program
●Intense Spatial Sampling at the PVC
●Storm Water System
●Shoreline Sediments
●Intense Temporal Sampling
●Depth Sampling
Historical records show:
enterococci associated with
•Rainy days
•Fresher waters
Sampling Effort
●Intense Spatial Sampling at the PVC
●Storm Water System
●Shoreline Sediments
●Intense Temporal Sampling
●Depth Sampling
Spatially Intense Sampling
High Tide, August 9 (dry)
(Saltier Water)
Kayak Launch
Hot Spot
Storm
Outfalls
Low Tide, September 16 (wet)
(Fresher Water)
Sampling Effort
●Intense Spatial Sampling at the PVC
●Storm Water System
●Shoreline Sediments
●Intense Temporal Sampling
●Depth Sampling
Intense Storm Water Conveyance and Sanitary
Infrastructure
Initial Sites
Background Sites
Exploratory Sites
Kayak Launch
1 2 3
456
8
9
7
10
12
13
14
1516
1
7
10
~100 CFU/100 mL
~100 CFU/100 mL
T1
B1
T2
B2
T3
T6
B6
T5
B5
T4
T1,T2…Top sediments
B1,B2…Bottom sediments
S1,S2,S3 Waterway bank
S1
S2
S3
What Are Possible Contribution From Sedime
Storm Water Inlet
Top Sediments
Bottom
Sediments
Shoreline
Sediments
> 360,000 CFU/g
> 650,000 CFU/g
> 790,000 CFU/g
Sampling Efforts
●Intense Spatial Sampling at the PVC
●Storm Water System
●Shoreline Sediments
●Intense Temporal Sampling
●Depth Sampling
Time Intense Sampling
Started to Rain
Above >24,000
Depth Intense Sampling
Measurements in the
vertical direction within
the water column at:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 feet.Highest
Level at Surface
(Freshwater)
Sanitary Sewer ?
(fresh water)
Not proven but possible
Main Source is Fresh Water Carried by the
Storm Water Conveyance System
Storm Water Inlet
(fresh water)
Salty
Saltier water
(lower bacteria)
Fresher water
(high bacteria)
Long term impactful solutions: Upgrade storm water conveyance system (treat first flu
Upgrade sanitary sewer system (continuous checking/mainte
HomelessMore Frequent Cleaning
Garbage Bins
Leaking
Uncovered
Animal Feces
Dogs
Iguanas
Racoons
Birds
Short term items
Conclusions/Summary
Enterococci is:
●Associated with freshwater and this freshwater floats on canal surface
●Enters during storm events through stormwater conveyance system
●Source to stormwater includes:
○Animal feces (domestic and feral)
○Homeless without access to sanitation
○Leaking garbage bins
○Trash
●Cannot discount sanitary sewage. When sewage backs up and overflows it
enters the stormwater conveyance system and contaminates the streets
including all sediments
●Need to further investigate underground sewage leaks. Such leaks can
possibly impact the stormwater conveyance system.
Key Take-aways
●Short term. Housekeeping on streets (initiated by City during course of study)
●Long term. Investments needed in upgrading
○the stormwater conveyance system and
○the sanitary sewer system .
Thank you. hmsolo@miami.edu