Characterisation of faecal streptococci from some New Zealand effluents and receiving waters

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Abstract
Different proportions of component species of faecal streptococci were found in New Zealand sewage, animal processing effluents, and animal faeces. Enterococcus faecium was the major species in raw sewage (43–65%), followed by E.faecalis (19–40%) or E. durans (14–23%). Meat processing effluent usually had a higher proportion of f. durans (37–73%) than sewage. Enterococci, mainly E. durans (34%), dominated in sheep faeces, but Streptococcus bovis comprised 53% of the faecal streptococci in cattle faeces. In sewage‐contaminated groundwater, a survival pattern of E. faecalis > E. faecium > E. durans > S. equinus > S. bovis was predicted. The proportion of E. durans was low in rivers impacted by animal wastes, and decreased during treatment of sewage and meatworks effluent and after both effluents were mixed with sea water. Thus, superior survival of E. faecium and E. faecalis means that they are likely to be the dominant species in receiving waters, irrespective of whether the pollution is of human or animal origin. Faecal coliform: faecal streptococci/ enterococci ratios were similar in raw sewage and meat processing effluents (generally > 3), but superior enterococcus survival caused a decrease in ratios in groundwater and sea water. Thus, these ratios are probably not useful in distinguishing between human and animal pollution sources in New Zealand receiving waters.

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