For Immediate Release: Table Rock Lake Water Quality Tests 6 Sites For E. Coli Before Memorial Day Weekend

[Phil Lilley]

Contact: Gopala Borchelt, Executive Director

Email: gopala@trlwq.org

Phone: 417-739-4100 or cell at 417-230-4116

Due to the high water on Table Rock Lake, there have been many questions as to the quality of the water. Table Rock Lake Water Quality a local non-profit group, has tested the water at various locations during this high water time. Samples were collected in various coves and tested at the Stone County Health Department. Sources of the bacteria include septic systems, many of which have been saturated and may leak untreated wastewater. Other sources of the bacteria are animal wastes such as from geese and wildlife. E. coli can wash with the storm water run-off from livestock areas and pet yards. The good news is that E. coli bacteria do not survive long in open water and in sun light. These are the results found:

TRLWQ

RECREATIONAL WATER ANALYSIS REPORT

Lab # .. .. Collected By .. .. .. .. Sample Location .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date Collected .. .. .. .. Date Reported .. .. .. .. .. E-COLI-MPN/100 ML

E 38 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. UU Hwy Old 86 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. .. 209.3

E 52 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. Baxter Briar Cliff .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. .. 47.2

F 15 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. Indian Pt. Compton Ridge .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. .. 6.2

E 30 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. OO Hwy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. 11

F 33 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. W Indian Pt/Crows Nest .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. .. 5.2

F 12 .. .. TRLWQ .. .. .. .. Clevinger Cove .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/24/2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5/25/2011 .. .. .. .. .. 203.31

These results are only a snap-shot of the water at these locations. Recommended E. coli limits by the EPA are 235 organisms per 100 ml of water (235 MPN/100 ML). Samples were taken approximately 10 feet out from shore. (The sites are shown on the attached map.)

Again the biggest concern for boaters is the presence of more debris in the water including floating sticks and logs from the shoreline or washed down from rivers and creeks. The coves and river mouths are more likely to have this debris floating which can be difficult to spot while driving your boat.

We recommend that if you plan to water-ski or swim, take you usual precautions: wear your life jacket, do not swim with open wounds or cuts and, of course, do not drink the water. Happy Memorial Day weekend and enjoy the water!

Tammy Yelden

Education Outreach Director

Table Rock Lake Water Quality, Inc.

PO Box 606

2 Kissee Ave.

Kimberling City, MO 65686

Phone: 417-739-4100

Fax: 417-739-9889

Email: tammyyelden@trlwq.org

[dtrs5kprs]

Kind of surprising the levels were that low.