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County OKs E. coli testing for Loon Lake |
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Wednesday, February 20 2008 |
By KELLEY SHEISS
for The Post & Mail
Several concerned Loon Lake residents attended the county commissioner’s meeting Tuesday to support Scott Wagner in his funding request for testing for E. Coli levels in the lake. Wagner said initial testing will be able to clarify the source of contamination. Property owner Donna Jones said resolving the situation is in the best interest of the county.
“We are the gatekeepers and we need to try and clean-up the water situation,” said Jones. She mentioned that the contaminated water may also be flowing into Old Lake.
Commissioner Tom Rethlake excused himself from the discussion, citing the reason that he is a resident of Old Lake.
Vice-Chair Jim Pettigrew asked it there was any idea as to the source. Wagner noted that he has walked the area and there is one residence on 350 West that could have an old septic system affecting the situation. Wagner was unsure of additional possibilities. The water was tested in one area on January 31 and showed levels higher than allowed by the state. Wagner requested $181 for eight test sites. Depending on the results, areas may need to be investigated further. Wagner said that a more expensive caffeine test can be done to differentiate between animal and human waste. Pettigrew and Mike Schrader approved the monies be taken from the professional services fund to conduct the tests. Wagner said that another factor is that the county has experienced two 100-year floods this year, which is quite unusual.
“We’ve got to find out the source so we can get this resolved,” said Schrader. Wagner will meet with the Loon Lake Property Owners Association, conduct the testing, and report back at a future meeting.
E.Coli is a bacteria that can cause illness. It is found in human and animal waste.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, February 21 2008 )
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