Feasibility of a Dune Infiltration System to Protect North Carolina Beaches from Fecal Bacteria Contaminated Storm Water
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 10
Abstract
Storm water ocean outfalls discharging into recreational waters pose a human health threat because of increased potential exposure to bacteria and other pathogens. The dune infiltration system (DIS) was designed and implemented at two ocean outfall sites in response to concerns by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the town of Kure Beach, North Carolina The systems were designed to divert storm water runoff from 1.9 ha (4.7 acre) and 3.2 ha (8.0 acre) watersheds into the beach dunes. Following construction, data were collected from 25 storms during March through October 2006. The systems captured a combined total of nearly (), or 95% of the influent storm water runoff—a significant reduction of runoff volume and peak flow discharging directly onto the beach (). Fecal coliform and enterococci concentrations were measured in the inflowing storm water runoff and groundwater downslope of the systems. Both groundwater bacteria concentrations near the systems were significantly lower than the bacteria concentrations in the inflowing storm water (). Furthermore, groundwater fecal coliform concentrations after implementing the DISs were statistically similar to preconstruction levels (). The initial results are promising, and the system should be considered for more widespread use. However, further comprehensive research is recommended to more thoroughly understand the viability of the DIS as a storm water best management practice and the fate and transport of the bacteria within the dunes.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT Project 2005-29), and special support was provided by NCDOT personnel Dr. Robert Holman, Mathew Lauffer, and Mason Herndon. The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management issued a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) exemption to permit the installation of a sand infiltration system in the dunes. Installation and cooperation was provided by Sonny Beeker and the Town of Kure Beach Public Works Department. Enterococci analysis was performed by J. D. Potts and his staff with NCDENR Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Additional support came from Bob Maestro, owner of HydroLogic Solutions; David Nash, New Hanover County Cooperative Extension; and John Nelms from the town of Carolina Beach, North Carolina.
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© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 1, 2010
Accepted: Mar 28, 2011
Published online: Mar 30, 2011
Published in print: Oct 1, 2011
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