Elevated concentrations of nitrate in potable water supplies have been linked to negative health outcomes such as methemoglobinemia and various cancers. Groundwater can become contaminated with from sources including onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs). A groundwater well down-gradient an OWTS serving elementary school Eastern North Carolina USA had 15 consecutive samples collected over a 5-year period that exceeded the maximum contaminant level 10 mg/L for nitrate. Corrective...

Abstract Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) and private wells are commonly used in Eastern North Carolina, USA. Water from is not required to be tested after the initial startup, thus persons using these may experience negative health outcomes if their water contaminated with waste-related pollutants including bacteria, nitrate or synthetic chemicals such as hexafluoropropylne oxide dimer acid its ammonium salt (GenX). samples 18 sites OWTSs groundwater were collected for nitrate,...

ABSTRACT Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are a common approach in coastal communities. Vertical separation distance (VSD) requirements between the drainfield and groundwater aim to ensure aerated soils for treatment. When VSD declines, OWTS can fail. This study evaluated response sea level rise (SLR) implications OWTS. A monitoring network (13 wells) was used evaluate depth Dare County, North Carolina. Groundwater levels were measured with water meters pressure transducers. Trends...

The goal of this study was to determine if onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWS) were influencing groundwater and surface water Escherichia coli concentrations in a coastal plain watershed. Piezometers for monitoring installed at four residences served by OWS five municipal system (MWS). located two different, but nearby (<3 km), watersheds. Effluent from the septic tanks, piezometers, streams draining MWS watersheds sampled on dates between September 2011 May 2012. Groundwater E....

The objective of this study is to determine if the nitrogen treatment efficiency a large onsite wastewater system (OSW) in coastal plain North Carolina influenced by changes elevation water table. Groundwater readings including depth water, pH, temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen are recorded eight times over 15‐month period (May 2013–August 2014) encompassing typically “wet” (two sampling events) “dry” (three seasons, table fluctuation 1.7 m. from piezometers ( n = 7)...

The COVID-19 outbreak led governmental officials to close many businesses and schools, including colleges universities. Thus, the ability resume normal campus operation required adoption of safety measures monitor respond COVID-19. objective this study was determine efficacy wastewater-based epidemiology as a surveillance method in monitoring on college campus. use wastewater part program control outbreaks at East Carolina University evaluated. During Spring Fall 2021 semesters, samples (N =...

Wastewater contains elevated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The type wastewater treatment technology and septic system density may influence the FIB concentration exports at watershed scale. goal this study was to gain a better understanding from watersheds served by conventional (CS) systems, sand filter (SF) municipal sewer (SEW) system. Seven (3 CS, 3 SF, 1 SEW) were monitored quantify export monthly April 2015 March 2016. did not yield significant differences in or...

The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding the PO4-P treatment efficiency onsite wastewater systems (OWS) installed in nutrient-sensitive watersheds North Carolina Piedmont. Four OWS including two conventional and single-pass sand filter (SF) were evaluated at sites with clay-rich soils. Piezometers near all OWS, down-gradient from for groundwater collection characterization. Septic tanks, groundwater, SF effluent, surface waters sampled each season during 2015 (five times)...

Hurricane Matthew caused flooding in Eastern North Carolina that was categorized as a one 500-year frequency event. the second such event less than 20 years, following Floyd 1999. The of intense storms is projected to increase for many coastal areas, including Carolina, because climate change. goal this study gain better insight into geochemistry flood waters associated with major events. Water samples (n = 22) from Tar River Greenville, were collected over two-week period after moved across...

A permeable reactive barrier was installed between a large Onsite Wastewater System (OWS) and monitoring well located down-gradient from the OWS. Groundwater samples had shown elevated increasing concentrations of NO3--N (>20 mg L-1 for 2 years). The constructed using woodchips various tree species that were placed in trench excavated to approximately same depth as which experiencing concentrations. (5) collected two weeks four months after installed. dropped by an average 5 L-1, while...

The project goal was to determine if stormwater runoff and the legacy effects of leaking underground storage tanks (UST) posed an environmental health threat along urban stream, Town Creek (TC). Baseflow stormflow samples were collected from TC between March October 2016 for physical chemical characterization E. coli analyses. Groundwater seeps wells near banks also sampled benzene Stormflow concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) elevated relative preceding baseflow groundwater...

Dry detention basins (DB) are commonly used to reduce the rate of runoff in urban areas and may provide open space for recreation between storms. However, most not effective at nitrogen removal comparison other measures, such as constructed wetlands. The study goal was assess treatment efficiency a DB that exhibited some wetland characteristics, including saturated soil near inlet vegetation covered 40% surface area. Influent effluent samples were collected during multiple stages eight storm...

Reducing nitrogen loading to water resources is a goal for resource managers in many regions experiencing quality degradation. Onsite wastewater systems (OWS) are used treating rural areas and may be significant sources of nitrogen. Most OWS designed constructed dwellings/facilities with relatively low flows (<1,400 L day−1); thus, most research has focused on evaluating treatment efficiency small systems. However, high-flow (>10,000 day−1) OWS, serving schools large businesses, also...

Stormwater control measures such as dry detention basins and wetlands are often used to reduce the discharge of urban runoff nutrients streams, but differences in nutrient treatment may vary between practices. The goal this study was compare nitrogen efficiency a basin before after it converted into stormwater wetland. Inflow outflow from Greenville, North Carolina sampled during 13 storms wetland 10 storms. Total dissolved (TDN), NO3−, NH4+, chloride, organic carbon (DOC), physicochemical...

Abstract Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are commonly used in eastern North Carolina. A vadose zone or vertical separation distance (VSD) between the OWTS drainfield trenches and groundwater is required for effective aerobic treatment. Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, can deliver significant rainfall that influences levels reduces VSD, thus also influencing of by OWTS. Few studies have quantified effects storms on VSD. Groundwater at three sites with were monitored...

Wastewater may be a source of nitrogen (N) to groundwater and surface waters if not effectively treated. In North Carolina, onsite wastewater systems (OWSs) are used by 50% the population for treatment, but most OWSs routinely monitored. There is lack information regarding N contributions from water resources. Four sites with were instrumented wells near their drainfield trenches compare concentrations in determine treatment efficiency systems. Two (Site 200 300) less than 1 year old, two...

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne primarily found in Asia and Australia one of the few with an associated human/animal vaccine. Swine are amplifying hosts wading birds reservoirs JEV, while horses humans incidental hosts. The primary vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus, generalist blood feeder not United States (US); secondary vectors (e.g., Cx. pipiens, quinquefasciatus, Aedes japonicus, Ae. vexans) widespread US (including North Carolina [NC]). risk JEV to NC was...