The Stoughton Area Resource Team, Inc.
(START) provides a safety net for those in crisis. Recently, a 30-year old single father of two struggled to find work, to pay for daycare for his children and to secure a home; so much time was spent homeless and hopeless.
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Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed
316 Grant Street
Stoughton, Wisconsin 53589
Phone: 6082356317
Contact Name: Lynne Diebel
Director
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Organization Profile
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| Badfish Creek Surface Water Sampling 2021 - 2021 |
Amount Funded: $950.00 |
| Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District uses UV light to disinfect the treated effluent that flows into the Badfish. Currently MMSDs disinfection takes place from April 15 to October 15. During the winter non-disinfection period, levels of E.coli are significantly above levels considered by DNR to be safe for recreational use. In recent years, E.coli levels have exceeded safe levels during the summer disinfection period as well. The Village of Oregon also discharges effluent into the Badfish, but their DNR permit does not require disinfection. Because the source of E.coli in surface water may be either human or agricultural, FBCW is testing for Human and Ruminant Bacteroides genetic markers. FBCW uses the results to encourage appropriate policy changes concerning effluent and agricultural runoff. We have received feedback from DNR that indicates the data resulting from our testing are already influencing policy in a positive way. This grant will allow us to complete two full years of sampling, strengthening our case for policy changes. |
| Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this grant. In February of 2020, FBCW began investigating rising levels of E.coli in Badfish Creek and the Lower Yahara River into which the Badfish flows. The Badfish is a popular year-around paddling destination, and we want to ensure that the water is safe for recreational use. We want to continue sampling the waters of the Badfish and Lower Yahara until December, 2021. The samples will be processed at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Our results will comprise a unique database documenting the source of E.coli as well as the levels. |
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