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Using Scent Trained K9s for Illicit

Discharge Detection

Northern Michigan

Wastewater Operators Seminar

517.231.6389

The Nose Knows!

• Narcotics

• Evidence (guns, knifes, money, etc.)

• Live human search (airscent and tracking)

• Human remains search

• Drowning victims search

• Explosives

• Arson

• Avalanche

• Toxic Molds

• DVDs

• Mercury- 1mg

• Fruits, vegetables, meats

• Fox scat

• Grizzly Bear scat

• Whale feces

• Bedbugs and termites

• Gas leaks

• Water leaks

• Abalone

• Truffles

• VOC’s

• Cancer

• Diabetic alert

• Cooling fluid for underground power lines

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There Are A Few Exceptions . . .

IDDE IDDE –– Scott & SableScott & Sable

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Environmental Canine Services LLC

2009

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Karen, Logan, & BellaKaren, Logan, & Bella

Dan & SkyDan & Sky

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Scott, Sable, & JackScott, Sable, & Jack

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ECS Projects/Success!

� Grand Traverse County, MI (x2)-Beaches

� City of Lansing, MI – ongoing Phase II

� Chippewa County, MI -Beaches

� Ottawa County, MI –Beaches

� Santa Barbara, CA – RESEARCH/Beaches

� Village of Shorewood, WI- Beaches

� Berrien County, MI- Septics

� Suttons Bay, MI – Beaches/BMPs

� Milwaukee & Wauwatosa, WI - Riverkeepers

Santa Barbara, CA 2010

WERF Funded Research Study

-UCSB and City of SB Creeks Div

-Blind study-ECS

-Microbial Source Tracking vs.

Canine Scent Detection

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Final Study Results

WERF Report U2R09

� Canine responses were

significantly associated

with human specific

waste markers

� ZERO false negatives

� When at least 1 human

marker was present

Logan = 100%

� The dogs may respond

to lower concentrations

than detection limits of

the human-specific

markers

� Canine instant results,

lab results 5 months

Outstanding Stormwater

Research Project 2011California Stormwater Quality Association

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Grand Traverse Co., MI 2010-11

2010

2011

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2012 Sutton’s Bay

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Results

� Up to 50 structures

~6 hours

� Reduced sampling

� $6,000 saved

� Immediate feed back

� Reduced environmental

impact

� Commercial carwash

discharge found

� Hospital discharge found

Chris & Dave – Our Heros!

Berrien Co. MI 2012

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Peg Kohring

Midwest Regional Director

The Conservation Fund

“You were able to accomplish what

no other program we tried so far was

able to”.

EPA Region 5 Water Quality

DivisionHolly Wirick

312.353.6704

•Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

•Clean Michigan Initiative Grants

•MDEQ Quality Assurance Project

Plan (QAPP)

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The Doggie Bag

• Rapid results = in the field decision making

• In the field decisions = reduced sampling

• Reduced sampling = less costs

• Furry dogs = Positive Press

Questions?

Is that mine?

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Environmental Canine Services

LLC

www.ecsk9s.com

517.231.6389

@ecsk9s