Microscopic Particulate Analysis ( MPA ) for Ground Water Under Direct Influence ( GWUDI ) Guide

 

Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) For Evaluation of Ground Water

I.        What is “a ground water source under direct influence of surface water”?

 The EPA Guidance Manual defines a ground water source under direct influence of surface water as water in which there is either:

“significant occurrence of insects or macroorganisms, algae, organic debris, or large-diameter pathogens such as Giardia lamblia.

or

“significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such  as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH which closely correlate to climatological or surface water condition.”

 

II.     What information is useful in classification?

 

Historical water quality records

  1. At least three years of Total Coliform and/or Fecal Coliform
  2. Turbidity and temperature records including those of nearby surface water
  3. No history of a known or suspected outbreak of Giardia, Cryptosporidium or other pathogenic organisms associated with surface water that has been attributed to the
  4. No evidence of particulate matter associated with surface

 

On site inspection

  1. No evidence for surface water
  2. Sufficient distances from surface water

 

III.   What is MPA and how can it be used to differentiate ground water under surface influence?

 

The premise behind the use of microscopic particulate analysis (MPA) is that surface waters are subject to contamination by pathogens such as Giardia and that there are other organisms whose natural habitat is limited to surface waters. If these surface water organisms are found in ground water, then the water is subject to contamination with Giardia cysts and other pathogens.  Indicators of  surface water contamination of ground waters include: Giardia, coccidia including Cryptosporidium, diatoms and certain other algae, rotifers, green plant material, and insect parts.

 Cryptosporidium       

Cryptosporidium

Cymbella (Diatom)

Cymbella (Diatom)    

 Naviculla (Diatom) 

Naviculla (Diatom)

 

IV.   How is test conducted?

 Samples are collected in accordance with the EPA “Consensus Method for Determining Groundwaters Under the Direct Influence   of Surface Water Using Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA).” Two sampling events are recommended, one during a dry period and a second during a wet period. Turbidity, temperature, rainfall and stream flow records, and conductivity etc. may be used for guidance for when to test.

 

V.      How are results interpreted?

 When organisms such as Giardia , coccidian, such as Cryptosporidium, insect parts including nymphs, larvae and eggs, rotifers, diatoms and other algae are detected in groundwater, they  are useful as indicators of surface contamination. The process of scoring microscopic results with relative risk factors is beneficial in classifying questionable supplies.

 

Primary Indicators

Giardia – A protozoan parasite. Occurrence in water sample must be confirmed by identification of two or more morphological characteristics, nuclei, axoneme and/or median body.

Coccidia (Cryptosporidium and other coccidia) – Coccidia are protozoan parasites of vertebrates. Cryptosporidium, a pathogen of concern to human health is small in size (approximately 4-7 µm diameter). Cryptosporidium is very difficult to identify without IFA staining, and its occurrence is confirmed by identification of sporozoites within the oocyst.

Diatoms – Diatoms are prevalent in creeks and streams, and they require sunlight for photosynthesis and continued survival. It is important that the diatoms contain normal internal morphology including pigment in order to be significant for the purposes of this analysis.

Other Algae – Includes several groups of algae including the green and blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria). These algae are abundant in surface water and do not generally persist in the absence of sunlight.

Insects/Larvae – This category includes insects and their larvae and eggs. Insect parts are not as significant as intact organisms since insects molt and the external skeleton could persist in water for long periods of time.

Golenkinia (Green Alga) & Cyclotella (Diatom)   

Golenkinia (Green Alga) & Cyclotella (Diatom)

Coelastrum (Green Alga)

Coelastrum (Green Alga)

Tribonema (Golden Alga)   

Tribonema (Golden Alga)

Anabaena (Blue-Green Alga)  

Anabaena (Blue-Green Alga)

Insect Wing Scale

Insect Wing Scale

 

Rotifers – Organisms ranging in size 70-500 µm that are medium to good indicators of surface water influence, particularly when supported by the presence of other indicators.

Plant Debris – This category, in our opinion, is significant only when it relates to chlorophyll containing fragments of plant tissue, since the plant debris could persist in water for extended periods of time much beyond the viability of Giardia or other pathogen cysts.

 

Secondary Indicators

Nematodes – Nematodes and or their eggs are common in surface water and in ground waters with detritus and organic debris.

Crustaceans – Many species occur in surface waters.

Amoebae – Free living amoebae. Large numbers of amoebae in groundwater may indicate substantial bacterial populations or organic detritus in the water.

Non-photosynthetic flagellates and ciliates – Free-living protozoa are extremely common in healthy surface sources. Like amoebae, they feed on bacteria, algae, small metazoans, other protozoa and extraneous debris. Although many flagellates are photosynthetic, there are a number of species that grow in the absence of light providing sufficient dissolved nutrients are available.

Photosynthetic flagellates – Includes species such as Euglena. While these organisms are photosynthetic, many can persist in the dark for months and because they are motile, their presence may not be indicative of surface water contamination.

Other: Other organisms frequently seen in MPA samples include the iron bacteria. The presence of iron bacteria does not have significance for surface infiltration, but large numbers of iron bacteria can produce biofouling of the well.

The EPA risk factor tables are used to weight the results of MPA analyses. The greatest weight is given to the primary indicators.

 

Table 1 assigns a rating (Not Significant through Extremely Heavy).

 

Table 2 uses the ratings assigned by Table 1 to determine the Relative  Risk Factor.

Table 1: Numerical range of each primary bio-indicator (particulate) counted per 100 gallons water.

Indicators of surface water1 EH3 H M R NS
Giardia2 >30 16 to 30 6 to 15 1 to 5 <1
Coccidia2 >30 16 to 30 6 to 15 1 to 5 <1
Diatoms4 >150 41 to 149 11 to 40 1 to 10 <1
Other Algae4 >300 96 to 299 21 to 95 1 to 20 <1
Insects/Larvae >100 31 to 99 16 to 30 1 to 15 <1
Rotifers >150 61 to 149 21 to 60 1 to 20 <1
Plant Debris4 >200 71 to 200 26 to 70 1 to 25 <1

 

  1. According to EPA “Guidance Manual for Compliance with the Filtration and Disinfection Requirements for Public Water Systems Using Surface Water Sources”, March, 1991
  2. If Giardia cysts or coccidian are found in any sample, irrespective of volume, score as
  3. Key: EH-Extremely High, H-Heavy, M-Moderate, R-Rare, NS-Not Significant
  4. Chlorophyll Containing

 

Table 2: Relative surface water risk factors associated with scoring or primary bio-indicators (particulate) present during MPA of subsurface water sources.

Indicators of surface water1 Relative Risk Factor3
EH2 H M R NS
Giardia 40 30 25 20 0
Coccidia 35 30 25 20 0
Diatoms 16 13 11 6 0
Other Algae 14 12 9 4 0
Insects/Larvae 9 7 5 3 0
Rotifers 4 3 2 1 0
Plant Debris 3 2 1 0 0

 

  1. According to EPA “Guidance Manual for Compliance with the Filtration and Disinfection Requirements for Public Water Systems Using Surface Water Sources”, March, 1991
  2. Key: EH – Extremely High, H – Heavy, M – Moderate, R – Rare, NS – Not Significant
  3. Risk of surface water contamination:

>20 – High risk, 10-19 – Moderate risk, <9 – Low Risk

 

*Note: Any finding of Giardia or Cryptosporidium results in a minimum risk factor of 20.

 

*Appendix 1. Tables 1 & 2 from Vasconcelos, J. 1992 Consensus Method for Determining Groundwaters Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water Using Microscopic Particulates Analysis (MPA). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 Oct. p. 30-31.

A Brief Guide To Cryptosporidium & Giardia

Cyptosporidium is a microscopic protozoan parasite found in surface waters such as rivers and lakes that are used as drinking water supplies. A number of waterborne disease outbreaks in the U.S. and other countries have been attributed to Cryptosporidium, including a 1993 outbreak of over 400,000 cases in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Like Cryptosporidium, Giardia is a protozoan parasite found in surface waters. Giardia can cause gastrointestinal disease. Unlike Cryptosporidium infections, it is treatable with chemotherapy.
Interpretation of Cryptosporidium, Giardia positive results is difficult since the protozoans detected may be dead, the Cryptosporidium or Giardia detected may not be infective to humans, or the monitoring recoveries of the parasites are low. Only intact cysts or oocysts have the potential to be infective, however, the presence of even an empty Cryptosporidium or Giardia indicates infiltration into the water supply.
Environmental Associates Ltd. (EAL) offers testing for Cryptosporidium and Giardia by EPA Method 1623.  With protozoan analysts surpassing national performance in recovery and identification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia during the ICR and LT2 performance evaluations, EAL is uniquely qualified for water source monitoring.  Please call EAL to discuss your monitoring and source water assessment needs.

 

EPA LT2 Cryptosporidium – EAL

Environmental Associates Ltd. is a microbiology laboratory founded in 1987 to provide world wide service for protozoan and virus testing with NELAP certification and holds United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for Methods 1622/1623 for Giardia and Cryptosporidium analysis for the EPA Long Term 2 Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2 rule).  We can assist with microbial services including:

  1. Lab analysis for Giardia and Cryptosporidium with water and wastewater
  2. Lab analysis for total culturable viruses
  3. Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) for ground water ( GWUDI ) and filtration evaluation
  4. On-Site pilot plant studies and sampling test services.
  5. Many more specialty microbiology analysis and consultation
  6. Homeowner water well testing in Ithaca, NY region.

Environmental Associates specializes in validation studies and other special projects.  EAL is always looking for new interesting projects. To learn more about how we can help you with your laborartory/research needs, please contact us at 607-272-8902, or info@eal-labs.com

..

Emergency Onsite Services

Environmental Associates Ltd. Lab Capabilities and Experience since 1987

  • 24 Hour results for Cryptosporidium and Giardia analysis
  • Country wide on-site lab service
  • Drinking Water and Waste Water microbiology
  • Surface Water and Ground Water consulting
  • Extensive Well Experience from from 100 gallons a day to 100,000 million gallons a day well fields.
  • Onsite Pilot Plants for Drinking Water and Waste Waters
  • OnSite Engineering Ability for New Technologies
  • Water Plant Consultions and Microbiological Optimizations

 

Flood Waters from Sandy Pose Risk of Water Supply Contamination

With many of New Jersey’s cities and towns still experiencing significant flooding, several of the state’s municipalities have issued boil water advisories, warning consumers that the public drinking water could possibly be contaminated and unsafe to drink.

So far 12 municipalities in New Jersey have issued advisories — including Atlantic City MUA, New Brunswick Water Department and Ship Bottom, among others.  — FoxNews

Major Health Risks Posed in the Aftermath of Sandy

The hurricane has passed and the damage has been done. We can at least take solace in the fact that things will settle down now, right?

As if the death toll and damages are not enough, experts are concerned about areas that suffered severe flooding, in particular New York City, and the spread of disease.

Dangers of fecal matter, E. Coli bacteria, flood debris, and urban contaminants such as oil, gas and trash mixing with water are very serious. Open wounds or vulnerable parts of the body such as the eyes coming into contact with flood water can create a susceptibility to infection, virus, bacteria and parasite exposure.  — Discovery.com

UCMR 3 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3

 

The third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) was signed by EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson on April 16, 2012. As finalized, UCMR 3 will require monitoring for 30 contaminants using EPA and/or consensus organization analytical methods during 2013-2015. Together EPA, States, laboratories and public water systems (PWSs) will participate in UCMR 3.

 

Hurricane SANDY: Actions to Take While a Boil-Water Advisory is in Effect

Water should not be delivered to patients through the dental unit, ultrasonic scaler, or other dental equipment
that uses the public water system. This restriction does not apply if the water source is isolated from the municipal
water system (e.g., a separate water reservoir or other water treatment device cleared for marketing by FDA).
 
Patients should rinse with bottled or distilled water until the boil-water advisory has been cancelled.
 
During these advisory periods, tap water should not be used to dilute germicides or for hand hygiene unless
the water has been brought to a rolling boil for >1 minute and cooled before use.1,4-6
 
For hand hygiene, antimicrobial products that do not require water (e.g., alcohol-based hand rubs) can be
used until the boil-water notice is cancelled. If hands are visibly contaminated, bottled water and soap should be used
for handwashing; if bottled water is not immediately available, an antiseptic towelette should be used.