Following is the press release from Missouri DNR reporting results of the May 27, 2008 sampling for E-coli at the Lake of the Ozarks:
Volume 36 323 Larry Archer
(For immediate release) (573) 751-3807
DEPARTMENT'S TESTING FINDS THREE
SAMPLES IN LAKE OF THE OZARKS WATER IN EXCESS OF E. COLI LIMITS
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 30, 2008 -- The first round of water testing at the Lake of the Ozarks found that at three of 55 sites tested E. coli bacteria existed in excess of the standard commonly used for swimming and other whole body contact recreation, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The test samples, the first of six monthly samplings schedule for the Lake of the Ozarks, were taken Tuesday, May 27, at sites between the Lake of the Ozarks Community Toll Bridge and mile marker 30.
The highest level of E. coli was found in a sample taken from Cove 043, which is located near mile marker 20.5 in Osage Beach. That sample showed E. coli present at 547.5 colonies per 100 milliliters, or more than four times the state standard for swimming and other aquatic recreation. Three other samples taken in the same cove showed E. coli present at roughly half the standard.
The state water quality standard for water bodies with whole body contact for recreation is a
geometric mean of 126 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water during the recreational season, which is April 1 through Oct. 31. The geometric mean is a statistical method used to combine the
results data that reduces the effect of extremely high and low values that can bias the results.
E. coli levels of 178.5 colonies per 100 milliliters were found in a sample taken at Racetrack Hollow, located near mile marker 28. A sample taken at Bee Hole Hollow, located near mile marker 26, showed levels of 129.1 colonies per 100 milliliters. While three other samples taken at Racetrack Hollow were well within the E. coli standard, both of the other samples taken at Bee Hole Hollow were near the limit.
The Department of Natural Resources' Southwest Regional Office will be investigating those coves where the higher E. coli levels were found in order to determine possible causes.
Between now and October, the Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, AmerenUE and the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, will test coves from Bagnell Dam to mile marker 30. Alliance volunteers trained to do such sampling are doubling the number of sites that could be sampled.
This is the second year of testing for the Lake of the Ozarks. Ameren is paying $15,000 per year for the five-year study. When completed, the water testing will include coves from Bagnell Dam to Truman Dam.
E. coli is a bacteria found in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals. Frequently associated with faulty septic tanks or sewer systems, E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness. For more information on E. coli and the testing program, including 2007 results,
