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E. coli source found at Loon Lake |
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Friday, 04 April 2008 |
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer
The source of the E. coli in Loon Lake has been identified, and the next step is up to the property owners in the area.
Scott Wagner, head of the Whitley County Health Department, tested three sites in Loon Lake and found that the first site, at the northern end of the lake, was the only site with significant E. coli bacteria.
The source is a pasture where grazing cows have access to a stream that flows into the lake. Waste from the animals appears to be the source of the bacteria.
“The other two sites are not part of the problem,” Wagner said.
“The stream to the west of the lake had higher E. coli (readings), but it wasn’t significant. There was nothing like a septic system going into the lake.”
Wagner said the next step is for the property owners, if they chose, to go to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Wagner said they can decide to get the animals out of the stream and make the banks less erodible.
“For instance, a farmer in South Whitley had cattle that had access to a stream, and eventually IDEM told him that had to change,” Wagner said.
“There’s nothing at the Health Department that allows us to tell (the farmer near Loon Lake) he can’t have his animals there.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 April 2008 )
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