Research Areas > Beach Water Quality > Rapid Indicators > Rapid Methods Demonstration

Project: Rapid Methods Demonstration

SCCWRP has been working with academic and industry researchers since the late 1990s to evaluate and refine rapid microbiological methods for beach water quality analysis. Application of rapid methods would improve public health protection by providing more accurate and timely information on which to base beach warning and closure decisions. Implementation of rapid methods has also been mandated by the Federal BEACH Act and California AB 639. Currently, research shows that quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) is the most viable rapid method for application to beach monitoring. In order to advance the application of rapid methods, the SCCWRP Commission created a Rapid Methods Task Force in 2009, consisting of experts representing multiple stakeholders. After reviewing the available science, the Task Force elected to implement a pilot project in summer 2010 that will explore the efficacy of using rapid methods for issuing beach warnings and closures in southern California.

The goal of this project is to assist the Task Force by conducting training and outreach to enable a pilot project where QPCR is used in parallel with traditional methods for monitoring at selected southern California beaches. The objective is to produce rapid test results that can be utilized for making beach warning decisions and posting signs (if necessary) on the same day a sample is taken.

Status

This study was initiated in 2010 with anticipated completion in 2011.

Methods

A rapid method dry-run in which methods are transferred to local laboratories will be implemented in May and June 2010, followed by a demonstration project in July and August (if warranted). Throughout the pilot, all samples will be processed by both rapid and traditional methods. The Task Force’s chosen method is QPCR with Scorpion primers and probes, using a BioRad thermocycler and no DNA purification step. Frozen cell filters will be used for calibration. To help resolve timing issues, the number of beaches targeted for rapid sampling will be limited, and efforts will be made to upgrade calculation software and implement electronic signage. Through a partnership with MiOcean, the project team will install electronic signs at two of the demonstration beaches, and will utilize others already in place to publicize beach warnings.

The demonstration will take place in Orange County, at Doheny, Huntington, and Big Corona state beaches and Newport Pier. Beaches were selected based on several criteria, including distance from disinfection sources, limited points of entry, history of bacteria standard exceedences, involvement of multiple agencies, and nearness to SCCWRP. Training and outreach is being conducted with a range of affected groups, including Orange County Board of Supervisors, Orange County Coastal Coalition, State and Regional Water Boards, Lifeguards, chambers of commerce, city managers, and State Parks. In addition, method training opportunities for NGOs and a press demonstration are being scheduled. The Task Force will stay in existence through the pilot so as to evaluate results and modify the implementation strategy as needed.

Partners

This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Rapid Methods Task Force, Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County Public Health Department, State Water Resources Control Board, LA Regional Water Quality Control Board, EPA Office of Science and Technology, South Orange County Wastewater Authority, University of North Carolina, Heal the Bay, and the City of Newport Beach. Funding for this project has been provided in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from the US EPA and the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Members of the Rapid Methods Task Force are:

• Dr. Mas Dojiri - City of Los Angeles
• Larry Honeyborne - Orange County Public Health Department
• Charles McGee - Orange County Sanitation District
• Darrin Polhemus - State Water Resources Control Board
• Michael Lyons - Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
• Dr. Mark Gold - Heal the Bay
• Dave Kiff - City of Newport Beach
• Shari Barash - US Environmental Protection Agency

Video:

• QPCR Implementation Training Video - (downloadable version - run the index file to start play, you will need Adobe Flash Player to view the video)