The effect of well depth and septic tank distance on Escherichia coli and total coliform presence in private wells at Vilas County rental properties by Robert Rosner
Dublin Core
Title
The effect of well depth and septic tank distance on Escherichia coli and total coliform presence in private wells at Vilas County rental properties by Robert Rosner
Subject
Biology
Description
Because Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria pose a risk to public health through
waterborne illnesses, it is necessary to investigate the impact of well depth and septic tank proximity on bacterial contamination in rural private wells. I hypothesized that coliform contamination in wells correlates to shallow well depth and proximity to a household septic tank. To test this hypothesis, I sampled 182 wells at rental properties in Vilas County, a rural county in north central WI. My results showed that well depth and septic tank proximity had no significant influence on total coliform acteria or E. coli contamination. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to determine the effect of well depth, septic tank distance, and other well construction factors on coliform contamination in groundwater wells.
waterborne illnesses, it is necessary to investigate the impact of well depth and septic tank proximity on bacterial contamination in rural private wells. I hypothesized that coliform contamination in wells correlates to shallow well depth and proximity to a household septic tank. To test this hypothesis, I sampled 182 wells at rental properties in Vilas County, a rural county in north central WI. My results showed that well depth and septic tank proximity had no significant influence on total coliform acteria or E. coli contamination. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to determine the effect of well depth, septic tank distance, and other well construction factors on coliform contamination in groundwater wells.
Creator
Rosner, Robert
Source
Senior Showcase Poster Presentation
Publisher
Ripon College
Date
April 23, 2019
Rights
The author reserves all rights.
Format
pdf
Identifier
Major: Biology
Minor: Math, English
Minor: Math, English
Files
Collection
Citation
Rosner, Robert, “The effect of well depth and septic tank distance on Escherichia coli and total coliform presence in private wells at Vilas County rental properties by Robert Rosner,” Senior Showcase Digital Collection, accessed April 18, 2025, https://rcseniorshowcase.omeka.net/items/show/107.