Goodrich -A month after high levels of E. coli were found in the Mill Pond, new tests show lower levels of the bacteria in a majority of testing locations.
‘After we did the original testing we wanted to have different areas tested and repeat some of the original sites to make sure the levels were going down,? said Jakki Sidge, village administrator.
An Oct. 5 survey of the Mill Pond conducted by the Genesee County Health Department showed E. coli bacteria present in numbers that may pose a danger if consumed.
A total of four water samples were taken from the pond, with two tests exceeding the 2,419 CFU (Colony Forming Units) threshold, one sample at 2,419 CFU and the lowest level of E. coli found in the four samples taken from the Mill Pond was 1,732 CFU.
The new survey tested nine samples from the pond on Oct. 25, with E. coli levels ranging from 84 CFU along Kipp Road to 2419 CFU along Hegel Road.
‘E. coli is just an indicator of how much recent fecal contamination has gotten into the water from any mammal,? said Brian McKenzie, environmental health supervisor for the GCHD
When testing for E. coli, 100 ml samples are taken from a body of water and analyzed for bacterial presence. The number of E. coli bacteria found in the sample are then used to determine if there is a need to practice caution when coming in contact with that body of water.
‘When we go out to get a surface sample, we’re grabbing a half a cup of liquid,? said McKenzie. Hopefully, the sample proves to be representative of the larger picture McKenzie added. However, he said, that isn’t always the case since different factors–such as rain– can affect the amount of CFU present at the time..
‘A single sample is a snapshot in time,? said McKenzie. ‘You can’t make any long range assessments from it.?
Other samples along the pond revealed: 120 CFU; 133 CFU; 167 CFU; 172 CFU; 222 CFU and 488 CFU.
State standards for bathing beaches are 300 CFU E. coli over 100 ml sample, and 1,000 CFU for partial body contact like fishing and wading, said McKenzie.
McKenzie described E. coli as a bacteria that lives in the intestines of all mammals. Once excreted, McKenzie estimates the bacteria live between 48 and 72 hours.
McKenzie added there are hundreds of different strains of E. coli, but only about a dozen known to cause communicable disease in humans. All E.coli, even those considered harmless, are included in the count.
Even when E. coli levels in the pond were higher, McKenzie said fishing in the pond was still safe as far as the bacteria was concerned, providing residents used precautions.
‘As long as you wash your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking, E.coli doesn’t enter into the safety of the eating of that fish,? said McKenzie.