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Health district says Farm River tests show human bacterial markers; more tracking planned
Summary
East Shore Health District presented multi-year microbial source-tracking on the Farm River showing elevated E. coli at North Branford sites and detection of human-associated markers at Pages Mill Pond and the Route 80 Bridge; the district will continue targeted sampling and pursue interventions with partners.
East Shore Health District representatives told the North Branford Conservation and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency that multi-year monitoring of the Farm River watershed has found regularly elevated E. coli counts at North Branford sites and detected human-associated bacterial markers at two lower sampling locations.
Michael Pascassella, CEO of East Shore and director of public health for North Branford, described the program’s origins and goals: "What we're trying to do is improve the water quality of the Farm River watershed," he said, framing the work as collaborative rather than enforcement-first. The study began as a Yale student pilot around 2010, expanded in 2019 when Sarah Esenter joined the team, and added microbial source-tracking in 2023 to identify likely animal sources of contamination.
Sarah Esenter, East Shore’s water-quality coordinator, presented site-level results showing Pages Mill Pond and the Route 80 Bridge among routine sampling locations with recurring high E. coli counts; she said laboratory testing detected human markers at both of those sites. "Starting with human, the two sites that we have data for from our first two years, we have detected human at both of them," Esenter said, noting that microbial source-tracking currently provides species-specific detections but that cross-species quantitative comparisons are not yet standardized.
The presentation noted common drivers: rain events increase E. coli counts; avian markers are widespread (consistent with resident geese); canine markers appear more frequently downstream; and ruminant (cattle) testing may be added if resources permit. East Shore emphasized partnership with state labs, Yale, volunteers and town staff; the town previously allocated $10,000 toward the project, which presenters said will be used to continue sampling and analysis.
Commissioners asked whether septic systems or particular farms could explain the human markers. Esenter said early rain-event sampling north of suspected septic-issue areas did not show the same human signal, suggesting the human sources may be lower in the watershed; she urged continued, targeted sampling. Pascassella said enforcement is possible if a direct discharge is found, but the district prefers outreach and funding assistance first.
East Shore plans to complete full microbial source-tracking on the samples collected this season, use the results to design interventions, and return to the commission with recommended community actions and potential regulatory or nonregulatory responses.
