Extremely high E. coli levels have been reported in the Rivanna River in Charlottesville and neighboring Fluvanna County after heavy rainfall in Central Virginia.
E. coli is a type of bacteria whose presence indicates that water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches, among other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
Heavy rain, which Central Virginia has seen a lot of lately, can carry animal and human waste into waterways, contaminating it with E. coli.
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit organization which monitors the river’s water quality, reported that a July 3 test revealed extremely high levels of E. coli in the water at three sites: Darden Towe and Riverview parks in Charlottesville and the Palmyra Boat Launch in Fluvanna County. The results all exceeded the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s water standards, the alliance said.
The state agency recommends water have no more than 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of water to be suitable for recreational activities. The water the alliance tested at Darden Towe came back at 2,419.6, more than 10 times the state’s upper threshold. The water at Riverview Park came back at 1,986.3, and Palmyra at 1,299.7.
The contamination of the Rivanna may be more widespread than that, given the alliance tests sites less frequently in the summer. From March to November, all 19 sites are tested at least monthly. During the rainy season, between April and June, seven high-recreation sites get tested weekly. But from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the alliance tests only three sites weekly.
Some testing sites, such as Lake Monticello in Fluvanna County, which has at times has had E. coli levels high enough to hospitalize swimmers, have not been tested since early June.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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