That is very likely the case and it is very useful for you to have made the measurements. I hope you will write a letter to DEQ and Shellfish Sanitation (Bob Croonenbergs) with copies to elected officials. You will likely only get polite responses, but at least it will be on the record.
Every scientist I know has concluded that most of the bacterial contamination is derived from wildlife, but the State still emphasizes anthropogenic sources - septic systems, pets, overboard discharge by boats, etc. They refuse to even consider the land application of sewage sludge or poultry litter as being sources of bacteria. The reason is simple. Politicians get funding and misinformation from the powerful agricultural lobby (the waste is "free fertilizer"). Politicians appoint administrators who know they would lose their jobs if they did something not approved by the appointer.
There is quite a bit more than you want to read on my web site www.VaBayBlues.org on the "Bacterial Pollution" page under "Correspondence." There is absolutely no doubt that most of the spikes in bacterial concentrations correlate with heavy rainfall events, as is widely accepted. I have complete rainfall and bacterial records for the Little Wicomico for over a decade and one of my projects this winter is to write it up.
Lynton On Nov 29, 2011, at 9:07 AM, Nan Harvey Flynn wrote:
After almost four years of water quality testing in the Dividing Creek area for the Dividing Creek Association and VA DEQ, we are fairly certain that the highest e coli readings are related to migrating birds especially the geese who sit in the water for long periods of time. Since we test April through December only, our highest readings are late October, November, December and April when the birds are coming through and the test sites that have the highest readings seem to be associated with waters adjacent to neighbors feeding the geese and ducks.Nan On Nov 28, 2011, at 7:38 AM, Judith Lang/ Lynton Land wrote:Not to be a wet blanket, but according to the Code of Virginia it is illegal to throw any kind of organic material into the water unless it is being used as bait. That certainly included fish carcasses, crab debris, grass clippings and now corn. The reason is obvious. It will be decomposed by microbes and constitute nutrient pollution.§ 62.1-194. Casting garbage, etc., into waters.Except as otherwise permitted by law, it shall be unlawful for any person to cast, throw or dump any garbage, refuse, dead animal, trash, carton, can, bottle, container, box, lumber, timber or like material, or other solid waste, except fish or crab bait in any form, into any of the waters of this Commonwealth. When a violation of any provision of this section has been observed by any person, and the matter dumped or disposed of in the waters of this Commonwealth has been ejected from a boat, the owner or operator of such boat shall be presumed to be the person ejecting such matter; provided, however, that such presumption shall be rebuttable by competent evidence. Every such act shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or confinement in jail not to exceed thirty days, or both. Every law-enforcement officer of this Commonwealth and its subdivisions shall have authority to enforce the provisions of this section.Lynton Land On Nov 27, 2011, at 2:05 PM, Jessica and Paul Servis wrote:Here is a tip for any that live on the water and enjoy water fowl.Jim Wagner one of our NNAS Board Members told me a few years ago that he throws corn off his dock to bring in the diving ducks.I have be throwing out about a gallon every few days in the late fall and winter since then, and the birds have really responded.All you need to do is go to your Southern States Store and pick up a bag of shelled whole kernel corn. ( while you are there tell them you are a member of NNAS and thank them for selling our Bluebird Boxes). Just broadcast the corn off the end of your dock or in any area where you can observe the birds from your home. It will take a few days for the ducks to find it but after that you will have a great show. They will be back every day looking for an easy snack.P. Servis
