We evaluated the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Lake Baroon catchment, Queensland, Australia. A total of 132 water samples were collected from 6 sites as well as from raw influent and treated effluent from a local sewage treatment plant (STP), over a 12-month period. Three new sites close to the entrance of the lake were added following initial assessment. The prevalence of faecal indicator organisms, E. coli and enterococci was also examined. There was no clear relationship between the level of indicator organisms, rainfall or the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia for most sites. Of the five sites showing levels of contamination with Cryptosporidium, only three coincided with elevated rainfall. The highest level of Cryptosporidium oocysts detected in the raw influent from the STP, coincided with the occurrence of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in the local area but no Cryptosporidium was detected in surface water samples during that period. Our results indicate that while the human contribution of Cryptosporidium is minimal, the high level of faecal indicator bacteria in surface water was not always associated with the presence Cryptosporidium in this catchment.
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Research Article|
August 01 2006
The occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Lake Baroon catchment, Queensland, Australia
T. Wohlsen
;
1
Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Scientific Services, P.O. Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia
Tel.: (+61) 7 3274 9075 Fax: (+61) 7 3274 9175; E-mail: Tracey_Wohlsen@health.qld.gov.au
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J. Bates
;
J. Bates
2
Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Australia
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B. Gray
;
B. Gray
2
Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Australia
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P. Aldridge
;
P. Aldridge
3
Aquagen, Water and Renewable Energy, Palmwoods, Queensland, Australia
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S. Stewart
;
S. Stewart
3
Aquagen, Water and Renewable Energy, Palmwoods, Queensland, Australia
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M. Williams
;
M. Williams
3
Aquagen, Water and Renewable Energy, Palmwoods, Queensland, Australia
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M. Katouli
M. Katouli
4
Faculty of Science, Health and EducationUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore, QueenslandAustralia
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2006) 55 (5): 357-366.
Article history
Received:
July 21 2005
Accepted:
April 11 2006
Citation
T. Wohlsen, J. Bates, B. Gray, P. Aldridge, S. Stewart, M. Williams, M. Katouli; The occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Lake Baroon catchment, Queensland, Australia. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2006; 55 (5): 357–366. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2006.044
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T. Wohlsen, J. Bates, B. Gray, P. Aldridge, S. Stewart, M. Williams, M. Katouli; The occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Lake Baroon catchment, Queensland, Australia. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2006; 55 (5): 357–366. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2006.044
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