News Release 413

DEPARTMENT TESTING FINDS
LOW E. COLI LEVELS IN LAKE OF THE OZARKS

Volume 36-413

Contact: Larry Archer

(For immediate release)

573-751-3807

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 17, 2008 -- The most recent round of testing at the Lake of the Ozarks found all 55 samples had only low levels of E. coli bacteria, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The test samples, the third of six monthly samplings scheduled for the Lake of the Ozarks, were taken July 7 at sites between the Lake of the Ozarks Community Toll Bridge and mile marker 30. The complete test results are available online at www.lmvp.org/LOWA/ecoli.htm. 

E. coli is a bacteria found in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans.  Some strains of E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness. These bacteria can reach lake water from many different sources, both human and animal. For some people, such as children, elderly or those with weakened immune systems, even low levels of these bacteria may cause illness.

The state water quality standard for waters with whole body contact for recreation is a geometric mean of 126 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water during the entire recreational season of April 1 to Oct. 31. The geometric mean is a statistical method used to analyze data collected over a period of time. This standard is based on the current risk level accepted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of eight people in 1,000, or less than 1 percent, over the recreational season becoming ill as a result of swimming in the water. The EPA's suggested maximum level for test results of a single sample taken at a beach is 235 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water.         

The department's Division of State Parks operates two public beaches at Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Public Beach #1 and the Grand Glaize Beach. The department samples water weekly at both beaches and posts warnings if warranted to ensure a safe public swimming area.  Neither beach is on a cove being tested as part of this year's larger monitoring project. While the larger project is to assess the overall condition of the Lake of the Ozarks, the weekly sampling of the state park beaches is a separate effort to determine the week-to-week suitability for swimming at those specific beaches.

Lake residents and users can take simple steps to help reduce bacteria levels entering the lake:

Between now and October, the Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Department of Conservation, Ameren UE and the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, will test coves from the Community Toll Bridge to mile marker 30.

The testing is a proactive project to gain information about the water quality of the lake. The department and the watershed alliance will collect the next round of samples in early August.

This is the second year of testing for the Lake of the Ozarks. Ameren is paying $15,000 per year for the five-year study. When completed, the water testing will include coves from Bagnell Dam to Truman Dam.

For more information on E. coli and the testing program, including 2007 results, visit the department''s Web site at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2239.pdf.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention''s Web site has additional information on swimming-related illness: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/general_pub.htm.

You may also contact the Department of Health and Senior Services'' Bureau of Environmental Regulations and Licensure at 573-751-6095 for more information on the possible health effects of E. coli at the Lake of the Ozarks.

For Department of Natural Resources news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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