By Andy Ostmeyer
aostmeyer@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — The Newton County Health Department is not planning to test streams and creeks for bacteria this year.
“Money,” replied Bob Kulp, director of the department, when asked about 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. Just under 27 percent tested above the federal standard of 235 colonies.
E. coli is a bacteria species that in large doses can cause illnesses ranging from meningitis to urinary tract infections.
Kulp said there is more testing he would like to do, including tributaries and springs, but 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,” he said. “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.”
Sampling by the Newton County Health Department helped start the procedure of putting four county streams — Hickory, Capps, Lost and Upper Indian creeks — on the state’s list of impaired waters for E. coli, Kulp said.
The Health Department last year also was posting health advisories after finding elevated bacteria levels in streams, but that also will be discontinued, Kulp said.
He advised people to take precautions if they are wading or swimming in some of the county’s streams and creeks.
“Nothing has really changed,” he said. “People need to take precautions when they go swimming.”
The Jasper County Health Department, which last year began testing for bacteria in streams and creeks, is planning to start testing again this April, according to Tony Moehr, director.
Andy Ostmeyer is the metro editor for The Joplin Globe.
Tax defeated
In November 2006, Newton County voters rejected a proposal to raise the county Health Department’s property tax from 5 cents per $100 assessed valuation to 12 cents to pay for the monitoring and testing of streams for health hazards and infectious diseases. The vote was 10,713 opposed to 7,803 in favor.
Local News
Tight funding prompts Newton County to halt stream tests for E. coli
- Local News
-
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
-
Jasper County 911 administrative lines down
Though all Jasper County emergency 911 telephone lines are functional, administrative and non-emergency lines for the county dispatching service have been down since Monday night.
-
Study suggests continued population drop in Kansas
A decades-long decline in population is likely to continue in Kansas, particularly in the west of the state, and four counties could have fewer than 1,000 residents by 2040, according to a study by Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research.
-
Tornado victim’s recovery ‘miraculous’
Carolyn Mckinlay did not know much about baseball, but she knew it was important to watch the sixth game of last year’s World Series. It was important because her future husband, Mark Lindquist, had a ticket to see his beloved Cardinals take on the Texas Rangers in the seventh game at St. Louis.
-
Family of service honored at Memorial Day ceremony
Lt. Col. Robert Brock returned to his hometown Monday and told an audience of about 500 residents and veterans gathered at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial that Memorial Day is a celebration of family — America’s family of service.
-
Master developer working on project possibilities
A Texas developer who Joplin officials intend to hire to help with the city’s post-tornado development says he has secured commitments for about $400 million in capital to fund about 20 possible projects.
-
Webb City High School honored in rankings of national magazine
Webb City High School is among 13 schools in Missouri to receive a silver medal designation among the best high schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
-
Grant to fund animal isolation area at Carthage Humane Society shelter
The Carthage Humane Society will use a grant from the Carthage Community Foundation to complete a room for isolating potentially sick animals at the shelter, according to Glenda Erwin, shelter director.
-
Mike Pound: Out-of-town adventures: texting while shopping
My wife sent me a text the other day. She and our 14-year-old daughter, Emma, were shopping. I was not. I was doing the exact opposite of shopping. I was watching a baseball game on TV.
-
Joplin summer school starts next week
Students in the Joplin School District will have had only two weeks between the close of the school year and the start of summer school. Summer classes will be held weekdays from June 4 through June 29.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
