ESCHERICHIA COLI, POULTRY, AND PRECIPITATION: A WATERSHED STORY

Industrial poultry production in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in North Carolina has grown rapidly, with North Carolina now ranked nationally as a top poultry producer. The Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin harbors the highest density of poultry production among North Carolina river basins. This study examined the effect of poultry CAFOs on water quality in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin by comparing watersheds with CAFOs (n=5) to those without CAFOs (n=4). In partnership with Yadkin Riverkeeper, we collected surface water samples during both dry weather and wet weather events, for a total of 36 samples analyzed. Each sample was evaluated for Escherichia coli concentrations and antibiotic resistance profiles. Few E. coli isolates were antibiotic resistant. A multiple linear regression indicated presence of poultry CAFOs resulted in higher E. coli concentrations compared to background sites and that every 1-mm increase in precipitation resulted in higher E. coli concentrations.Master of Scienc