We are in Week Two of our 2023 summer bacteria monitoring program and once again the numbers for the Willett Branch where it runs by the Bethesda Pool off of Hillandale Road in Chevy Chase are off the charts. Visit HERE to see the latest results.
Last fall, after a summer of really high numbers, we did DNA testing at the Willett Branch site. The results concluded that the fecal bacteria in the creek was overwhelming from humans - pointing to a sewer problem.
Tracking Down the Source of Human Fecal Matter
As people might know, Montgomery County (but not DC) has a separate sewer/stormwater system. This means that ALL waste water goes to the sewer treatment plant and ALL stormwater runoff is directed to the creek. The most likely ways for human fecal matter to get in the creek is from 1) sewer leaks under the creek or 2) waste water lines that have been improperly plumbed into the storm drain system. We have seen both in the Little Falls watershed.
After testing last year, LFWA met with WSSC to discuss the possible sources. (I have to thank our MD State Delegate Marc Korman for helping us set up these meetings. He was able to get WSSC's attention when we were not.) After conducting additional testing, WSSC agreed with us that the Willett Branch problem was from human waste.
Where are we now?
The Montgomery County DEP is working to track down the source of the bacteria on the Willett Branch. Tracking down the source involves dye testing in sewer systems, as well as inspecting storm drain man holes in dry periods make sure they are dry. The drainage area for the creek is almost all of Bethesda, so there is a lot of area to cover. While they have done initial testing, we are still waiting to hear from them with results. Amy Stevens is our contact at DEP and we get little updates from her. There are signs up by the Willett Branch warning of the high levels of fecal bacteria. MoCo DEP has also created a webpage to address fecal bacteria questions and to update people on the Willett Branch situation
Little Falls Branch Sites
What is being done about the results on the Little Falls Branch that exceed the MD Standards, but aren't off the charts like the Willett Branch tests are? Unfortunately, WSSC does not see those areas as contaminated and indicated in our meetings last fall that they will not do any further investigation. They test the creek every spring and fall at a site near the Dalecarlia Reservoir and haven't seen any elevated numbers. We don't doubt their numbers - it's common for sites to pass one week and fail the next - so one time testing is not a good indication of what is happening. And it’s clear from our weekly results that there is a problem bigger than just dog poop contamination.
What do high levels mean for residents?
What does the elevated levels of fecal bacteria mean for water play? The main advice that we can find is if you do come in contact with the water - wash, wash, wash and under no circumstances should anyone drink the water in our creeks. The MoCo DEP site has guidelines too.
And let your elected officials know that these levels are not acceptable. It's not going to get better without a lot of public pressure.