Don’t miss this month’s chance to walk, volunteer, and attend important community meetings with Jack Welch! Find this month’s Walk the Walk schedule here. Thanks as always, Jack!

E(ek!) Coli Sampling for the Safety of Humans and the Environment

Guest blog post to Flagstaff STEM City by Chelsea Silva, VISTA Member for the City Sustainability Department and the Friends of the Rio de Flag

Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli, is a type of fecal coliform bacteria. Bacteria are single celled microorganisms that can either exist as independent organisms or depend on another organism to live. E. coli bacteria are found in the environment (soil and vegetation) and in the intestines and feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans. That’s right, fecal = relating to feces = poop!

E. coli image courtesy of the Center for Disease Control

Most coliform bacteria are not harmful, but their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms (e.g. pathogens) could be in the water system. Only particular strains of E. coli cause serious illness, and people usually contact these strains (especially strain 0157:H7) through consuming undercooked meats such as hamburger. Disease symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and sometimes jaundice, plus headache and fatigue.

Safeguarding against E. coli is part of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) mission to protect and enhance public health and the environment. The ADEQ conducts routine E. coli sampling throughout the state in order to reduce the risk of illness from disease causing organisms associated with sewage or animal wastes.

Meghan Smart (ADEQ) illustrates the use of the E.coli processor to Jake, Chelsea, and Oren

On June 28th, ADEQ staff trained staff and volunteers with Natural Channel Designs, Inc. and the Friends of the Rio de Flag on E. coli sampling. Trainees learned how to properly collect a water sample, how to process the sample using a handy “Processing Guide”, and how to record the data once processing is complete. Sampling in Flagstaff and the surrounding areas will provide the ADEQ with the data needed to protect our drinking water supplies.

The Processing Guide leads trainees through the E. coli testing procedure

Below show the initial and the final stage of processing the E. coli. After the sample incubates for 12 hours, you look at the large and small squares on the sample and count the ones that fluoresce under a black light.You then use a Most Probable Number (MPN) table to calculate the MPN of E. coli in the sample (you count the # large squares fluorescing in you sample and find this number on the X axis and do the same with the number of small squares fluorescing and find it on the Y axis to calculate the MPN of bacteria in the sample). The picture here shows that the sample contains bacteria, but not at a concerning level.

Initial water sample before processing

Sample under black light after processing

The Friends of the Rio de Flag is excited to partner with ADEQ and Natural Channel Designs, Inc. to engage citizen scientists in E. coli sampling. In the coming months, the Friends of the Rio will create a sampling plan with ADEQ to best fit the needs of our watershed. Afterwards, the Friends of the Rio will recruit volunteers to collect water samples throughout town. This will give us a better idea of water quality in our community.

Thank you to Meghan and Jake with the ADEQ for training us on E. coli sampling, and another thank you to Natural Channel Designs, Inc. for hosting the E. coli sample training day.

From L to R: Chris Tressler, Civil Engineer and Geomorphologist, Natural Channel Designs, Inc.; Mark Wirtanen, Biologist and Engineering Technician, Natural Channel Designs, Inc.; Oren Thomas, Conservation Projects Manager, Prescott Creeks; Jake Fleishman, Civil Engineering In-Training, Natural Channel Designs, Inc.; Chelsea Silva, STEM VISTA Member for Friends of the Rio de Flag and the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Division; Meghan Smart, Hydrologist, ADEQ; and Jake Breedlove, Grant & Watershed Coordinator, ADEQ

Subsiding flood makes its way down the Rio de Flag channel in Sinclair Canyon. Photos courteous of Paul Beier.

One of the most beautiful stretches of the Rio de Flag flows through Sinclair Canyon. On Thursday, August 3rd we will enjoy this section which includes the I-40 wetlands created by our reclaimed water. Our guest guide, Dr. Paul Beier, will point out plants and birds that don’t occur in Flagstaff except in Sinclair Canyon, and restoration projects co-sponsored by Friends of the Rio (FoRio).

Hikers enjoying a sunny afternoon along the FUTS.

We will also discuss a proposal to use reclaimed water to re-water 1.2 miles of the Sinclair Canyon, creating a perennial stream along the prettiest mile of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. City staff are receptive, and are discussing this idea with FoRio members.

Paul Beier is a Regents’ Professor of Conservation Biology at NAU, and a leading expert on wildlife corridors and cougars. A long-time Friend of the Rio, Paul raised 3 daughters in Flagstaff, and has lived on Sinclair Canyon for 11 years. He loves this mile of canyon, and will share that love with you.

We look forward to seeing you next week for a great hike! Meet at 5:30pm at the southwest corner of the Sam’s Club parking lot.

Views along the Flagstaff Urban Trail System along Rio de Flag below Willow Bend, Flagstaff, Arizona

Saturday, July 15th

9am-11am

Sinclair Wash at Willow Bend

Join us for this collaborative cleanup of Sinclair Wash with FunTown Circus Camp! We will meet at Willow Bend Environmental Education Center (703 E Sawmill Rd) at 9am. Please park at the Police Station just down the street as Willow Bend has limited parking.

Trash grabbers, bags, and gloves provided. Please wear close-toed shoes and dress for weather.

We look forward to cleaning up this section of the Rio that needs some love. Thank you to the organizers and participants of FunTown Circus Camp for inviting Friends of the Rio to work together on this project!

Join Jack in July for his Walk into Summer series . Find the schedule with details here!

Rio de Flag Community Cleanup

Trash removed at the I-40 Wetlands during Make a Difference Day 2016. Join us for a Rio de Flag Cleanup in the Foxglen area on Saturday, July 8th!

Saturday, July 8th

9am-11am

Please join us at the Foxglen area for a Rio de Flag cleanup! The monsoons are coming and this area needs some love before the trash is swept further downstream.

Meet at 9am at the Foxglen parking area (see map below – follow 4th Street south as if going to Coconino Humane Association). Trash bags, gloves, and pickers will be provided. Please wear sun protection and sturdy shoes. Bring plenty of water! Pizza provided!!

Special thanks to Jen Jensen for his efforts towards cleaning this area last week – let’s finish the job!

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=14_0Dbg1U7LiQZWvo5W8YboeTQyg&ll=35.18876387610326%2C-111.6011274&z=18