For More Information:

Trina McMahon, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison, (608) 263-3137
Anders Andren, Director, UW Water Resources Institute, (608) 262-0905
Stephen Wittman, Communications Coordinator, UW Aquatic Sciences Center, (608) 263-5371

 

Editors Note:

Project abstracts are available at http://www.wri.wisc.edu

 

SEPTIC SYSTEM STUDY CHECKS FOR ANTIBACTERIAL RESISTANCE

IN GROUNDWATER

 

MADISON, Wis. (9/23/05) — A new housing development in Sun Prairie is giving UW-Madison researchers an opportunity to see whether septic systems cause bacteria in groundwater to become resistant to antibiotics, potentially creating a source of antibiotic resistance that could ultimately reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics for human use.

The researchers are using new DNA detection technology to test groundwater before and after the houses are built. Any DNA associated with antimicrobial resistance that the researchers detect before the houses go in must come from other sources, such as naturally-occurring bacteria or those in runoff from agricultural lands, according to Trina McMahon, an environmental engineering professor and chief scientist on the project.

However, if the researchers find more kinds or amounts of DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria after the septic systems are in use, that would indicate a contribution from the septic systems, McMahon said. Septic systems are not generally considered to contribute significantly to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in groundwater, she added, but it is important to verify current understanding.

“Regulatory agencies may be going after all sorts of water dischargers. If human use and wastewater are insignificant sources of the problem, then we should know that,” McMahon said.

The project is one of eight new projects related to drinking water, groundwater and surface water recently funded by the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute (WRI).  Research supported by WRI currently involves more than 60 faculty, staff and students from University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Stevens Point; the University of Wisconsin-Extension; researchers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The institute also provides technology transfer through its Web site, publications and conferences.

The eight new projects and three continuing projects are financed with funds from WRI’s Groundwater Research Program. The Program is a UW-System program administered by WRI.  It receives nearly $300,000 from the System annually to support research and monitoring projects throughout the state.

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The University of Wisconsin WRI is one of 54 Water Resources Research Institutes nationwide—all focused on addressing problems

of water supply and water quality at local, state, regional and national levels.
For more information, visit www.wri.wisc.edu

 

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last updated 23 September 2005 Karl

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/communications/news_releases/2005/WRI2005Projects.html