Source tracking of Enterococcus moraviensis and E. haemoperoxidus.
Enterococci were detected occasionally in 100 L samples of water abstracted from a shallow aquifer in a natural dune infiltration area for drinking water production. Enterococcus moraviensis was the species most frequently identified in these samples. Because there are no existing reports of faecal sources of E. moraviensis and the closely related E. hemoperoxidus, this study aimed to find such sources of these two species in the dunes. Faecal samples from various animal species living in the vicinity of abstraction wells, were analysed for enterococci on Slanetz and Bartley Agar. From these samples, enterococci isolates (1,386 in total) were subsequently identified using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. E. moraviensis was found in the faeces of geese, foxes and rabbits. Also, E. haemoperoxidus was isolated from goose faeces. Using hierarchical clustering, the species composition of Enterococcus spp. isolated from abstracted water formed one cluster with the species composition found in geese droppings. A sanitary survey supported the indication that feral geese may provide a substantial faecal load in particular parts of this dune infiltration area, close to the water abstraction system. This study confirms the faecal origin of E. moraviensis and E. haemoperoxidus from specific animals, which strengthens their significance as faecal indicators.
Het Waterlaboratorium, J.W. Lucasweg 2, Haarlem 2031 BE, The Netherlands E-mail: maja.taucer@hetwaterlaboratorium.nl; Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, Delft 2628 CN, The Netherlands.
Maja
M
Taučer-Kapteijn
Het Waterlaboratorium, J.W. Lucasweg 2, Haarlem 2031 BE, The Netherlands E-mail: maja.taucer@hetwaterlaboratorium.nl.
Wim
W
Hoogenboezem
Erasmus University Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands.
Remco
R
Hoogenboezem
PWN Drinking Water Supply Company, Rijksweg 501, Velserbroek 1991 AS, The Netherlands.
Sander
S
de Haas
Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, Delft 2628 CN, The Netherlands; KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, Nieuwegein 3433 PE, The Netherlands.
Gertjan
G
Medema
D000818:Animals; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005777:Geese / Q000382:microbiology*; D060587:Groundwater / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000382:microbiology*; D009426:Netherlands; D013045:Species Specificity; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification