News Release 302
Drinking water systems fail to complete required testing necessary to maintain safe water supply
Volume 37-302 (For Immediate Release)
Contact: Renee Bungart
573-751-4465
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 4, 2009 -- Thirty-four drinking water systems in Missouri have chronically failed to complete required drinking water testing. The systems listed have at least three major monitoring violations in a 12-month period. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe, routine testing by a facility is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The Department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule. This current list of 34 systems represents only 1 percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.
Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has a record of both failing to monitor and a history of exceeding contaminant levels, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water.
If a water sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria, which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform, test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform-positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli, unless specifically stated otherwise.
To view more details on the violators listed, visit the Department's website at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/index.html.
County -- Public Drinking Water System
- Barry -- Roaring River Homeowners Association, Table Rock Big M Marina
- Benton -- Grand River Resort, Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park, Lake Hills Motel and Restaurant, Lakeview Heights Subdivision, Sun Valley Subdivision
- Camden -- Shrimp Daddy's
- Clay -- Mosby
- Dallas -- Ho Humm Campground
- Franklin -- Charmwood Subdivision
- Greene -- Expressway Stop
- Jasper -- Kum & Go #29, Royal Oaks Arena
- Jefferson -- Lake Forest Properties, Valle Acres Mobile Home Park
- Laclede -- Gasconade C-4 Elementary School
- Lafayette -- Wellington
- Lawrence -- Baumer's Food Mart
- Miller -- Sunset Mobile Home Park
- Morgan -- Downtown Diner, Three Pigs Bar B Q and Grill, Uncle Sam's Ice Cream and Deli
- Newton -- Dave's Super Stop
- Ozark -- Rusty Nail Pub
- Polk -- Case's Corner LLC
- Pulaski -- The Point Steakhouse
- Stone -- Holiday Hills 1-2-3 Addition, Starrlite Village 4th Addition
- Taney -- Bradleyville R-1 School, Tablerock Inn, Tri Lakes Moose Lodge
- Washington -- Harper Valley Trailer Park
- Wright -- L'il Shoppe of Manes
These systems' owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, the Department pursues more stringent enforcement action through legal channels.
For more information, contact the Department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-8309.
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