Source Molecular Connects With Stormwater Managers at 11th CASQA Conference

Source Molecular helps educate stormwater professionals in California about microbial source tracking and how it can identify the source of fecal contamination. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) November 05, 2015 - Source Molecular Corporation exhibited at the California Stormwater Quality Association's (CASQA) 11th Annual Conference, "Stormwater - Are We Making a Difference?" held October 19-21, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. The theme questioned the link between stormwater programs and environmental outcomes and reflected the spatial and temporal complexity of stormwater improvement in urban areas and the need for innovative approaches.

James Herrin, Source Molecular's project manager, explained to participating stormwater professionals the applications of microbial source tracking (MST) methods in compliance requirements of their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Mr. Herrin also touched base with existing and former clients who were at the conference.

The conference had a session devoted entirely to presentations detailing progress and outcomes from Microbial Source Tracking studies. "Interesting findings included evidence of dog waste in the sanitary sewer systems of a city. Flushing dog waste is a recommended method of pet waste disposal and MST analyses were used to document that some residents used this strategy of waste disposal," Mr. Herrin noted. In another study where only MST markers from sea gulls have been identified, managers installed bird exclusion systems to reduce the number of gulls on the beach and reduced the concentration of bacteria at the beach.

Source Molecular, the nation's leader in the field of microbial source tracking, is greatly supportive of conferences such as CASQA's because it is able to reach out to stakeholders directly affected by the declining state of their water quality caused by fecal pollutants. Source Molecular, through its MST services, can help stormwater managers find out whether they are discharging untreated sewage into water systems. It can also help them pinpoint which storm drain needs to be fixed. If they are not discharging sewage, then MST analysis can serve as evidence or proof that they are in compliance with their permits. Either way, affected communities will be able to generate savings by avoiding fines or by shortening what could have been a long, expensive and untargeted rehabilitation process.

Source Molecular had much to share with the CASQA attendees such as its license from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use their patented genetic testing methods developed specifically for the detection of Human, Cattle, Chicken and Dog fecal pollution. Source Molecular's laboratory is also capable of identifying whether the fecal indicator bacteria found in water samples came from Swine, Gull, Goose, Deer, Elk, Horse, Bird, Beaver and Ruminant. It can also offer Droplet Digital PCR, which is an advanced technology that provides absolute quantification of the target DNA, allowing water managers to know not only the source of fecal pollution but also exactly how much fecal bacteria is in the water.

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