<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> 2:14 p.m. Newton County to drop stream testing for E. coli

March 26, 2008 03:11 pm

— Tight funding prompts
The Newton County Health Department is not planning to test streams and creeks for bacteria this year.
“Money,” replied Bob Kulp, director of the health department, when asked the reason. Newton County began limited testing in 2005, relied on Stream Team volunteers in 2006 and last year used its own environmental public health specialists to test up to 40 locations around the county each week.
More than 48 percent of the stream sites in Newton County — including many popular swimming holes — showed average E. coli levels above the state standard of 126 colonies per 100 milliliters of water last year. Just under 27 percent tested above the federal standard of 235 colonies.
Escherichia coli is a bacteria species that in large doses can cause illnesses ranging from meningitis to urinary tract infections.
Kulp said last year’s work — labor, laboratory equipment and travel — cost the department $15,000.
“We had a tight budget year and I had to make some cuts in our budget,” said Kulp. “We’re not doing anything this year unless we find some grant money. We are looking into that as a possibility through our watershed groups.”