Source Tracking with Scent-Trained Canines. LaPointe Drain in Monroe County, MI August 14, Summary Report Prepared For River Raisin Institute

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1 Source Tracking with Scent-Trained Canines LaPointe Drain in Monroe County, MI August 14, 2015 Summary Report Prepared For River Raisin Institute Prepared by: Environmental Canine Services, LLC 2734 Auburn Road Turner, ME

2 Canine Source Tracking Founded in 2009, Environmental Canine Services, LLC (ECS) uses specially trained canines to identify and source track human sewage contamination in watersheds and stormwater systems while ignoring animal fecal contamination sources. The canines alert to the presence of human sewage in containers of collected water samples and at the locations of the scent during field investigations, such as at outfalls, stormwater manholes or catch basins, drains, creeks, rivers, or shorelines. This rapid detection can lead to immediate source tracking in the field and provide valuable information for future monitoring and investigations. Combining the canine results with concurrent and historical bacterial testing results for sites investigated provides further information on the significance of the contamination. Field Investigations and E. Coli Testing On August 14, 2015, ECS Project Manager, Karen Reynolds, ECS Midwest handler/canine team Laura Symonds/Kenna, and ECS East Coast handler/canine team Aryn Hervel/Crush conducted field investigations on the LaPointe drain in Monroe County, MI. The goal was to identify if human sewage contamination was present at 12 drain monitoring stations in the watershed and conduct source tracking upstream of contaminated sites. Field investigations were conducted at the Luna Pier beach, canals along Lakewood Ave, and drains associated with each of the 12 monitoring stations. At each investigation site, the canines either scent tested the water or drain directly or a sample container of water collected at the site. A total of 28 sites were investigated. During the morning, water samples for E. coli testing were collected from four of the sites investigated by the canines and from four monitoring stations scheduled to be investigated in the afternoon. Results of the canine scent testing at each site, in the order they were investigated, are shown in the tables on pages 6 and 7, along with the E. coli testing results, which were provided by GEI Consultants. The Google Earth image on page 8 shows a comprehensive view of the canine results at each of the 28 sites investigated. Green markers indicate both canines did not alert at the site, yellow markers indicate only one canine alerted at the site, and red markers indicate both canines alerted at the site. Results Both Kenna and Crush alerted to the presence of human sewage at seven of the 28 sites investigated. When both canines alert, it is a strong indication of the presence of human sewage. E. coli testing was conducted for four of the seven sites the canines alerted on. Results of the E. coli testing show that two of the four tested sites contained E. coli levels above the state of Michigan standard of 300 for one day. 2

3 The two canines did not have the same response to seven of the 28 sites investigated. Crush alerted at three sites that Kenna did not, and Kenna alerted at four sites that Crush did not. When one canine alerts on a sample but the other does not, it is an indication of the presence of human sewage but not likely at a significant level. E. coli testing was conducted for one of the four sites, and the results show that E. coli levels were below the state of Michigan standard of 300 for one day. Both Kenna and Crush did not alert on eleven of the 28 sites. When both canines do not alert, it is unlikely that human sewage is present, or if it is present it is at a low level undetectable by the canines. E. coli testing was conducted on three of the eleven sites, and the results show that the E. coli levels were above the state of Michigan standard of 300 for one day. When sites contain high E. coli counts but the canines did not alert, the sources are likely to be animal, not human. Crush investigated three sites that Kenna did not. She did not alert at any of the three sites. No E. coli testing was conducted for these sites. Field blanks of distilled water were scent tested by the canines at approximately one out of ten sites, or more frequently in some cases, to help determine quality control and validity of canine scenting results. When a canine alerts to a field blank, it can be due to cross-contamination of the field blank from contact with collected water samples or the hands of personnel that collected the samples. It can also be due to saturation of the canine s nose with scent accumulated from sniffing sewage contaminated sites over several hours. Kenna alerted to a field blank after scent testing the first ten sites of the day. Due to the probability of this being caused by scent saturation in her nose, she was taken on a walk by her handler to clear her nose of the scent. Cross-contamination of the field blank was eliminated by pouring distilled water with gloved hands into a clean sample bottle for the Kenna to sniff again. After these measures, Kenna did not alert to the new field blank, demonstrating that quality control was restored. Investigations were then continued. Discussion and Recommendations The Google Earth comprehensive view of the results, along with historical and current E. coli results, leads to several conclusions about areas of concern in the watershed and recommendations for future investigations. On Luna Pier beach shoreline, both canines showed interest in the scent of the water from Lake Erie, and Crush gave a strong alert in the sand at the North end of the beach. It is possible that human sewage contamination in Lake Erie, which is a well-known problem, is the source of the alert in the sand on the North end of the beach, perhaps where the currents carry it more 3

4 strongly. ECS canines have previously alerted in the sand on beaches where water currents carry human sewage contamination. The presence of human sewage was detected by Kenna on the LaPointe drain upstream of Station 1, at the end of S. Harold Drive, but not by Crush, indicating that the level of contamination was probably low that day. E. coli results (39) confirmed the low level. One explanation for the presence of human sewage at this location could be back flow from Lake Erie into the LaPointe drain that reaches upstream to Station 1. However, E. coli results from May and June show some E. coli levels, especially after rain events, which are above the state of Michigan standards. Upstream human sewage discharges may be some of the potential sources. Upstream investigations where both canines alerted, shown on the Google Earth image with red markers, as well as some high historical E. coli results, indicate that there may be four drains with the strongest contribution to the sewage contamination near Station 1: 1. Wells drain, upstream of Station 2 (site 25). The drain is fed by two branches and appears to flow directly to the LaPointe drain at the S. Harold Drive location. It is recommended that the North and South branches of Wells drain to the West of Station 2 be investigated further for possible discharge sources. 2. LaPointe drain, upstream of Station 3 (site 24). Both canines alerted at Station 3 on Bay Creek Road and at the furthest accessible upstream location at Luna Pier Road (site 26). There was flow in the drain at site 26. It is recommended that the houses along the drain between its crossing at Luna Pier Road and the end of the drain at M-125 be investigated for possible discharge sources. 3. The North Branch of the Wenrick and Cousino drain at Station 5. Both canines alerted on a flowing field drain tile at Station 5 (site 15), on the north side of Edgewood Road, and the E. coli results from that day were high (308). One canine alerted on the drain downstream, on the South side of the road (site 16). The drain was investigated upstream, and neither canine alerted on the drain before it curves to the West (site 17) or on the drain North about a half mile, next to a tomato crop field on the East side of M-125 (site 19). This indicates that a discharge source is likely to be coming from the field East of Station 5 and flowing through the field tile to site 15. It is recommended that the homes and property at the North end of the field, South of Cousino Road, be investigated for possible discharge sources into the field. 4

5 4. Lakeside drain, South of Station 6, between the corner of Luna Pier Road and Victory Road and the branch that curves to the Northeast and runs parallel to I-75. Kenna was very interested in the drain south of the commercial building on the East side of Victory Road and both canines alerted to the drain just North of the building (sites 10 and 11). It is recommended that the building and the drain next to it be investigated for a possible discharge source. Three drains in the Northeast portion of the watershed were alerted on by either one canine (yellow markers) or both canines (red markers), indicating the presence of human sewage: 1. Sulfur Creek, in the Northeast portion of the watershed, was alerted on by both canines upstream of Station 10 (site 21) and upstream on Stein Road near Laginess (site 28). Both canines did not alert on water samples from Stations 11 and 12, which indicates that the high E. coli results at those stations (980 and 1414) are likely from animal source. It is recommended that Sulfur Creek be further investigated for human sewage discharges upstream between site 28 and Stations 11 and Station 9 (site 27) was alerted on by one canine. It is recommended that both the Whitewood and Rousseau drains that converge at Station 9 be investigated upstream for possible discharge sources. Although it is not clear from Google Earth whether Stations 9 and 10 have downstream flows connecting to Station 1 and contributing to its human sewage contamination, it appears to be a possibility. Station 10 may connect (near GPS coordinates , ) to the road drain that runs parallel to I-75 along the West side. The connection point is upstream about 2 miles of sites 10 and 11 that also connect to that road drain. Station 9 may connect (near GPS coordinates , ) to the same road drain, which may flow downstream from where Station 10 connects and downstream to sites 10 and 11. It is recommended that investigations be made into the possibility that the road drain along the West side of I-75 carries flow from upstream contamination sources of Stations 9 and 10 all the way down through sites 10 and 11 and into the contaminated area near Station 1. Neither canine alerted to the presence of human sewage in bucket samples collected at Stations 8, 11, 12. This indicates that the high E. coli results from these three stations are likely from animal sources. Thanks to Danielle Conroyd of RRI and Scott Dierks of GEI Consultants for a great day of field investigations! 5

6 ENVIRONMENTAL CANINE SERVICES, LLC FIELD INVESTIGATION RESULTS - LAPOINTE DRAIN, MONROE COUNTY, MI Prepared For: River Raisin Institute Canine Response Legend: N=No alert to the presence of human sewage Y=Alerted to the presence of human sewage Field Blank Date: August 14, 2015 Site # Time Location GPS N GPS W K9 Crush Response K9 Kenna Response E. Coli Results Comments Luna Pier beach and Lakewood Ave Areas: 1 8:00 Shoreline at Luna Pier Y N Alert in sand on beach 2 8:11 Steps at sea wall on top of concrete slab Y N Kenna interested in scent on other side of wall. Sewer manhole nearby. 3 8:31 Canal W side of Lakewood Ave, between Genoa & St. Marks Dr N N 4 Canal W side of Lakewood Ave, between Genoa & Belvedere Dr N N No alerts but strong interest by Kenna Wetland W side of Lakewood Ave, between 5 8:35 Belvedere & Naples Dr N N Canal W side of Lakewood Ave, between Naples & 6 Amalfi Dr N N 7 8:45 N/S canal at W end of Belvedere Dr N - Crush investigated yard on S side of street Station 1: 8 9:15 LaPointe drain at end of S Harold Dr N Y 39 Bucket sample taken 9 9:20 Bank of LaPointe drain at site N Y Station 6: 10 9:38 Lakeside drain, E side of Victory Rd, just N of commercial building Y Y 21 Kenna showed interest in the drain all the way from the corner of Luna Pier Rd & Victory Rd N to this site 11 9:40 At curve of drain just upstream of site N Y FB 9:45 Field blank N Y Alert on FB by Kenna likely due to scent saturation in her nose. FB 9:50 Field blank N After scent saturation cleared from Kenna's nose 11 BS 9:55 Bucket sample of site 11 Y Y 17 NE branch of drain that runs parallel to I-75, just 12 10:00 past curve at site 11 N - Crush was the only K9 to investigate this site 13 10:10 Drain on E side of Victory Rd, north of site 11 N - Crush was the only K9 to investigate this site. PVC pipe in drain coming from direction of 14 10:30 fireworks building N N 6

7 ENVIRONMENTAL CANINE SERVICES, LLC Page 2 FIELD INVESTIGATION RESULTS - LAPOINTE DRAIN, MONROE COUNTY, MI Prepared For: River Raisin Institute Canine Response Legend: N=No alert to the presence of human sewage Y=Alerted to the presence of human sewage Date: August 14, 2015 Field Blank K9 Crush Response K9 Kenna Response E. Coli Results Comments Site # Time Location GPS N GPS W Station 5: Field drain tile with flow, below white PVC pipe 15 10:52 (no flow), N side of road Y Y 308 Flow in field drain tile :04 Drain downstream of site 15, on S side of road Y N 17 Drain just upstream of site 15, N side of road N N Slight flow Station 4: 18 11:15 Near intersection of Edgewood & M N N FB Field blank N N Station 5: 19 Drain E side of M-125 between house yard and tomato crop field N N Rows of Bucket Samples from Stations: 20 11:55 Station 8 N N 461 FB Field blank N N 21 Station 10 Y Y Station 11 N N Station 12 N N 1414 Station 3: 24 2:00 LaPointe drain at Bay Creek Rd Y Y 24 BS Bucket sample of site 24 Y Y Station 2: 25 2:10 Wells drain trib at Bay Creek Rd Y Y Station 3: 26 2:15 Upstream of site 24, at Luna Pier Rd Y Y Flow in drain. Houses on W and E. Station 9: 27 2:33 At Cousino Rd N Y Kenna alerted strongly at drain 27 BS Bucket sample of site 27 N Y FB 2:50 Field blank N N Station 10: Both K9s alerted on the drain and on a bucket 28 3:00 Sulfur Creek at Stein near Laginess Y Y sample 7

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