Iowa Department of Natural Resources Environmental Services Division For Immediate Release July 3, 2007 LOW E. COLI COUNT FOUND AT SUN VALLEY LAKE MEDIA CONTACTS: Dan Olson at 712-243-1934 or Eric O’Brien at 319- 353-2835. ELLSTON - Water test results found low E. coli counts in samples taken from the beach area of Sun Valley Lake after a pressurized sewer line leaked wastewater into the resort lake Monday at a separate location. A sample collected Monday Morning was found to be at the lowest detectable level for E. coli at 10 organisms per 100 mL of water. This is well below the standard for the maximum allotted bacteria count for Iowa’s recreational waters at 235 organisms per 100 mL. Staff at Sun Valley Lake reported a bypass of approximately 300 gallons of untreated human wastewater entered the lake from the Lot 899 Indian Point location to DNR staff around 9:30 a.m. Monday morning. DNR beach monitoring officials collected a sample from the beach area Monday about a mile from the spill area. “Samples indicate that bacterial levels are low in the beach area, but swimming and other water contact activities are still not recommended in the spill area for several days,” said Dan Olson, an environmental specialist from the DNR Atlantic field office. E. coli is bacteria passed from warm blooded animals and may indicate the presence of disease causing pathogens. Extensive beach monitoring in Iowa has shown that warm, sunny weather tends to reduce bacteria counts quickly. High levels of indicator bacteria or pathogens have no direct influence on the quality of fish for human consumption. While alive, the fish is protected from water-borne contaminants by the skin, scales and mucus covering its body. Proper fish cleaning, rinsing, refrigeration and cooking should always be used. Sun Valley Lake is not part of the DNR’s regular monitoring schedule because it is a privately owned lake. The DNR recommends following these normal precautions for contact with any surface water: - Don’t swallow the water. - Wash your hands after contact with the water. - Avoid the water if you have open cuts or wounds. - Change diapers in the restroom and dispose of properly. For more information on beach monitoring, check the DNR Web site at: http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/activities/beach/FAQ.htm<http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/activities/beach/FAQ.htm> Writer: Holly Williams -30- Karen Grimes 515-281-5135 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp