What is E. coli and how to prevent it

These feathered friends are important parts of lake ecosystems. They can also contribute to an organism that is harmful to humans: E. coli. Birds are not the only sources of E. coli. Most warm-blooded creatures, including humans and cattle, have E. coli bacteria growing in their gut.

What is E. coli? Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a bacterium known for causing beach closures in Kosciusko County, particularly Center and Pike lake beaches historically. Although hundreds of E. coli varieties exist, only a handful of these bacteria species are responsible for negative impacts on human health. E. coli live in the gut and intestines of warm-blooded mammals, including humans. The most common cause of illness is coming into contact with animal or human waste that contains E. coli.

According to the Center for Disease Control, coming into contact with harmful E. coli can “make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses.” Although anyone can become sick from E. coli, children and adults over 65 are particularly vulnerable, as well as folks with weak immune systems.

E. coli can arrive in a lake through rain runoff from fields where livestock or birds congregate. Rain collects E. coli from animal waste and disposes of it in the nearest body of water, typically a river or a ditch. E. coli are hardy organisms and can survive and even reproduce (with the right conditions) outside of an animal’s body. On land, they can live in soil; in waterways, warm and stagnant water helps create ideal conditions for E. coli to grow, even after it arrives in a lake.

In 2013, the Lilly Center analyzed historical data and found that the public swimming beaches at Pike and Center lakes had unsafe levels of E. coli in 41% and 32% of the samples collected, respectively. With funding from the K21 Health Foundation, private donors, and Grace College, the center investigated the causes of these elevated levels.

The study revealed that rain events led to higher E. coli levels, indicating E. coli was washing in from outside the lakes. Levels also increased thanks to a storm drain flow at Center Lake.

During the study, researchers collected genetic material from several bird species. Bird counts showed higher gull counts at Center Lake, and tracking confirmed that gulls were likely the cause of high E. coli levels at Center Lake.

Thanks to the Lilly Center’s study, the City of Warsaw implemented a solution to reduce the presence of gull waste on the public beach. Rather than simply raking the waste back into the sand, the city purchased equipment that removed the waste. Bird waste is now completely removed from the beach and disposed of elsewhere. As a result, beach visitors can now enjoy the swimming area all summer.

The city plans to completely remove the existing Center Lake pier and install a new pier, allowing water flow. The flow of air and water will disperse nutrients and reduce the availability of nutrients.

On October 7, 2024, the Indiana Department of Health certified the Lilly Center’s E. coli testing program. This certification increases the confidence in our E. coli reporting. It also allows the Lilly Center to integrate this data into its research.

Over the preceding four years, Lilly Center researchers developed a program that accurately tests and identifies E. coli in local water bodies. Connor Frentzel, a Grace College student and Lilly Center lab assistant, began the process by doing in-depth research through an internship course. Under the guidance of Grace College professor and microbiologist Dr. Joe Frentzel and Lilly Center research technician Jed Harvey, Frentzel ran proficiency tests, sourced the necessary equipment, and wrote training manuals and standard operating procedures.

This rigorous process results in a high degree of confidence in the E. coli data at the Lilly Center. Weekly data is available at this link. Historical data is available upon request by emailing Matt Burlingame, assistant director of research, at burlingmn@grace.edu.

The Lilly Center will continue incorporating E. coli data into its research as another tool in its tool belt. Identifying high levels of E. coli in local waterbodies can help to determine the sources of nutrients feeding E. coli. The goal? To present solutions to prevent E. coli and make Kosciusko County’s lakes and streams clean for our community and healthy for their ecosystems.

E. coli can persist in a lake rich in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Reducing sources of E. coli and making lakes less friendly to E. coli can help prevent E. coli growth and make lakes and streams safe to swim in.

• Pick up after pets and deposit it in proper receptacles. E. coli continues to live in pet waste. Rain and other water events can take these particles and deposit them in the nearest water way. Lakes that are rich in nutrients (like those in Kosciusko County) may provide enough food for E. coli to pose a health threat in a lake.
• Plant native plants as a buffer strip. Buffer strips are native plants with deep roots along the water’s edge that could capture coli, nutrients and water before they enter a lake. These buffer strips also deter geese and other large birds from the area and leaving their E. coli-filled waste.
• Only fertilize when you need to. Lawn and garden fertilizers are common culprits of too much phosphorus and nitrogen. When it rains, any fertilizer not absorbed into the soil will wash away. Consider using fertilizer without phosphorus.