Anacostia Microbial Source Tracking

Source-tracking pathogens that harm humans and wildlife to pinpoint strategic remedies

Project leads: Dr. Suhana Chattopadhyay; Dr. Leena Malayil

The Anacostia River flows from the northeast through suburban Maryland into DC. It provides habitat for riparian species, and a natural place for local community members to enjoy hiking, biking, birdwatching, and boating. For decades, however, the river has suffered from overflows of sewage and industrial chemicals into the water, which increases the health risks to wildlife and humans. Current water monitoring methods struggle to differentiate between human and animal fecal contamination, making it hard to trace microbial pollution sources. The misuse of antibiotics has increased antibiotic-resistant bacteria in local waters, posing a significant public health risk.

The Global FEWture Alliance is partnering with a nonprofit organization, Anacostia Riverkeeper, to monitor overall water quality and the presence of pathogens such as E. coli and Vibrio species in the river. The CONSERVE lab is employing traditional culture-based approaches along with real-time quantitative PCR and quasi-metagenomics techniques to achieve three key objectives:

• identify contamination sources using microbial source tracking
• characterize the total and metabolically active bacteria present
• assess antibiotic resistance profiles of these bacteria

These objectives will generate essential data on potential pathogens and their correlation with fecal indicators in the river’s recreational waters. Identifying sources of sewage contamination will allow the Riverkeepers to develop effective solutions alongside the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and other stakeholders. 

This research using innovative tracking methods is the first of its kind in Maryland, and sets the stage for the routine use of these methodologies in water quality monitoring nationwide, promoting safer recreational water use.

Anacostia Riverkeeper volunteers sample the water bi-weekly at specific points and along tributaries, and deliver the samples to the CONSERVE lab at the UMD School of Public Health for analysis. Using both culture-dependent and -independent methods, our scientists analyze the pathogenic species present so that we may gather strong data that would support advocacy for investing in remedies like better sewer infrastructure.