Verbleib von fäkalen Indikatorkeimen aus Mischwasserentlastungen nach der Einleitung in Fließgewässer

Currently in Germany, the disinfection of biologically-treated wastewater before its discharge to rivers is not stipulated. In addition to the continuous release of bacteria from wastewater effluents, combined sewer overflows represent another challenge in controlling microbial contamination in rivers. In a DFG-funded research project, the fate and transport of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in the water column as well as the benthic sediments of an alpine, oligotrophic river were investigated. The results clearly indicated that the persistence of FIB in the sediment is higher compared to the water column. This can be shown by half-lives which were up to five times longer than in the water phase. Results from this study will enhance the ability to predict microbial river water quality.