2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a MOU with the Anacostia Watershed Society to assess levels of pathogenic E. coli in the Anacostia River and tributaries. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1265-32630-002-00D titled "Pathogen Transport and Dissemination from Manure". Water-borne pathogenic E. coli, particularly enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), pose a serious threat to public health. There is relatively little information, however, documenting the actual levels of pathogenic E. coli in various watersheds. Specifically, there is no data on levels of pathogenic E. coli in the Potomac River watershed. It is well established that humans, wildlife and agricultural animals are all sources of pathogenic E. coli. The Potomac River watershed receives inputs from all of these sources; however, the relative contributions from each are unknown. The goal of this collaboration is to establish the levels of pathogenic E. coli in the Anacostia River, an urban/suburban watershed, which flows into the Potomac River and finally the Chesapeake Bay. This research has been initiated but there is currently no progress to report.