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River water safe despite higher e-coli reading
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| San Pedro: No cause for alarm, but use precaution says the Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality. (Thelma Grimes/Photo.) |
ADEQ: Levels not high enough for danger; wash up afterwards
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
While e-coli readings in a 17-mile stretch of the San Pedro River near St. David have increased, Mark Shaffer, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), said it is still safe to go into the waters.
Shaffer said Monday ADEQ is keeping a close eye on the situation, but the e-coli levels at this point are not dangerous.
"We are just telling people that if they go into the waters, be sure and wash off after you are finished," she said. "The e-coli readings in this particular area have increased over time, and it is somewhat worrisome."
He also said the levels are not harmful to wildlife that uses the river as a water source.
E. coli is usually indicates some sort of human or animal waste pollution problem.
However, the U.S. Department of Environmental Quality produced a 2008 report stating low levels do not mean waterways should be closed to swimming.
ADEQ is worried enough that they will be forming a committee of local residents to assist in dealing with the issue.
The area being targeted is a 17-mile stretch between Babocomari Creek and the Dragoon Wash. This section of the river has been designated as an "impaired" waterway by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The source of the e-coli pollution is believed to be from both septic tanks and cattle grazing operations in the area.
"Unfortunately, this area has immigrants traveling down the river, and Huachuca City has wastewater treatment ponds near there," Shaffer said. "This is a multi-faceted problem. We have no real control over septic tanks, and it's not just a problem in rural communities. We are dealing with the issues of septic tanks polluting the waters statewide."
ADEQ is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to address the problems, which will include input from local volunteers.
In addition to forming the local oversight watershed council and developing a water quality improvement plan, ADEQ will use a $265,551 grant to develop a long-term monitoring and implementation strategy and to assess water quality in the designated part of the San Pedro River.
The grant money was awarded to the Coronado Resource Group to address the issue facing the river. The grant program is funded through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.
Shaffer said they are looking for volunteers to join the committee, and anyone interested can contact him at ADEQ by calling 602-771-2215.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
While e-coli readings in a 17-mile stretch of the San Pedro River near St. David have increased, Mark Shaffer, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), said it is still safe to go into the waters.
Shaffer said Monday ADEQ is keeping a close eye on the situation, but the e-coli levels at this point are not dangerous.
"We are just telling people that if they go into the waters, be sure and wash off after you are finished," she said. "The e-coli readings in this particular area have increased over time, and it is somewhat worrisome."
He also said the levels are not harmful to wildlife that uses the river as a water source.
E. coli is usually indicates some sort of human or animal waste pollution problem.
However, the U.S. Department of Environmental Quality produced a 2008 report stating low levels do not mean waterways should be closed to swimming.
ADEQ is worried enough that they will be forming a committee of local residents to assist in dealing with the issue.
The area being targeted is a 17-mile stretch between Babocomari Creek and the Dragoon Wash. This section of the river has been designated as an "impaired" waterway by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The source of the e-coli pollution is believed to be from both septic tanks and cattle grazing operations in the area.
"Unfortunately, this area has immigrants traveling down the river, and Huachuca City has wastewater treatment ponds near there," Shaffer said. "This is a multi-faceted problem. We have no real control over septic tanks, and it's not just a problem in rural communities. We are dealing with the issues of septic tanks polluting the waters statewide."
ADEQ is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to address the problems, which will include input from local volunteers.
In addition to forming the local oversight watershed council and developing a water quality improvement plan, ADEQ will use a $265,551 grant to develop a long-term monitoring and implementation strategy and to assess water quality in the designated part of the San Pedro River.
The grant money was awarded to the Coronado Resource Group to address the issue facing the river. The grant program is funded through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.
Shaffer said they are looking for volunteers to join the committee, and anyone interested can contact him at ADEQ by calling 602-771-2215.
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CWA wrote on Aug 19, 2010 10:42 AM: