Do lakes in parks have coliform / E. coli bacteria?

Question

I'm doing a project that may involve testing for coliform bacteria, but I don't want to buy too many test kits if there aren't even going to be bacteria anyway (test kits are quite expensive), so I'd like to know beforehand what the chances are that the lake has bacteria. By lake, I mean a small lake that you might find in a park (e.g., Central Park in NYC).

Answer 1

I'd bet it's a near certainty.

Answer 2

Coliform/E.coli bacteria are prevalent species of bacteria in feces of most all animals. Since most animals do their "business" outside, rain washes these feces and the accompanying bacteria into rivers, lakes, streams, pond, and the ground water. The percent of contamination depends on the amount of rainfall and the number of deficating species in the area. Natural waterways generally will show an increase in the concentrations of these bacteria after a heavy rain. In many communities, the water is tested regularly and bulletins are generated when levels become too high for human activitties in the water (i.e., swimming, boating, etc.) If there are DUCKS present, you can bet you have a HIGH level of these bacteria present as well as ducks poop a great deal.

Most natural waterways, if they are not land bound, will cleanse themselves over time. However, if these waterways are super-contaminated, say by a sewage spill, it may take a much longer time to return to normal.

Answer 3

Yes. Bacteria of all species abound in every kind of habitat. E coli is common just about every where.

Answer 4

It's not a question of "if" but "how much".