E. Coli Found in 500 Tennessee Streams
Pastor Dale Morgan
Jul 10, 5:25 PM EDT
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E. Coli Found in 500 Tennessee Streams*
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- More than 500 Tennessee streams are polluted
with E. coli bacteria, according to information from the Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation.
"I used to think flowing water was always fun and a good place to
recreate. But now, unless you're dealing with treated water, it's best
to be very careful," said Richard Urban, head of the TDEC Chattanooga
field office's water pollution control division.
The environmental department has tested more than 60,500 miles of stream
and about 5,155 miles contained E. coli, TDEC spokeswoman Tisha
Calabrese-Benton said.
The pollution is caused by failed septic tanks, failed sewer collections
and runoff from farms with livestock.
The bacteria can infect scratches on the skin, cause ear infections and
cause illnesses with flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and fever.
But most enforcement recommendations are voluntary. When E. coli is
found in waterways, TDEC can ask cities and businesses to limit
pollution and building permits, encourage better farm practices and
offer educational programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers grants to farm owners who
build watering and grazing systems that keep their livestock away from
waterways.
"The way (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has approached a lot
of regulatory actions is to start with voluntary actions. The next step
becomes less voluntary," Urban said. "If things are not improved, the
recommendations become less and less voluntary."
Municipal governments are asked to prohibit storm drain connections to
sewer lines and requiring tougher septic tank permitting rules.
More than 20 creeks in Hamilton County are polluted with E. coli
bacteria. Some of the polluted streams flow near public recreation
places, such as the city's Renaissance Park, Audubon Acres wildlife
sanctuary and Camp Jordan in East Ridge.
"The disappointing thing to me is if you're down at Renaissance and
you're biking or reading or whatever, you can't put your feet in the
water," said Leah Cross, who recently took her 4-year-old son to
Renaissance Park. "I think it's just sad that it's polluted, and I hope
they find a solution."
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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press,
http://www.timesfreepress.com