Conventionally, fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) have been used extensively to survey microbial water quality. However, this provides little information regarding sources of fecal contamination. Recommended by USEPA, microbial source tracking identifies particular traits in fecal bacteria that are associated with specific hosts. In conjunction with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), well established host-associated genetic markers are used to identify potential sources of fecal contamination in a short amount of time. At NJCWST, we offer qPCR methods to accurately quantify the following universal fecal markers, human (HF183, USEPA Method 1696) as well as host-associated fecal markers (bovine, Canada goose, deer, equine, chicken, canine, etc.) in water bodies.
