E. coli / Pet Waste
In 2016, EPA approved a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for E. coli in Big Dry Creek. E. coli is an indicator of fecal contamination associated with the intestines of warm-blooded animals and is used by the EPA to establish ambient water quality criteria for recreation. The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission has established stream standards for Big Dry Creek based on these criteria. Recent studies by BDCWA show that municipal wastewater treatment plants and dry weather flows from municipal storm sewer systems (“point sources”) are not the cause of elevated E. coli concentrations in the creek. Instead, diffuse (“non-point”) sources of bacteria appear to be a more likely cause of elevated concentrations of the indicator bacteria. Wildlife in the Big Dry Creek open space corridor such as birds nesting under bridges, coyotes, foxes, beavers and other warm-blooded animals are suspected as primary sources in the upper watershed. In the lower watershed, wildlife and cattle along the stream are suspected as potential sources; however, public access to the stream in the land adjacent to the stream in the lower watershed is on private property and not accessible for public recreation.
Watershed residents and trail users can help to reduce E. coli loading from pets by picking up after pets and properly disposing of waste in a garbage can. Leash laws are strictly enforced on the Big Dry Creek Trail.
For more information on E. coli issues in Colorado and nationally, see these resources: