One of three water samples collected by the Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper group on Sat., June 21, had E. coli levels at about 10 times the Alabama and USEPA limit for a single sample at a designated swimming beach.

A press released provided by Michael William Mullen of Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper stated that the sample was collected from just to the east of the pier on the north side of the lake. Samples collected from the west side of the pier and at the smaller beach area about a half-mile to the east tested within the Alabama and USEPA limit.

“Ideally a cautionary sign should be erected at this part of the beach until further testing is performed, and or the source is identified and eliminated,” Mullen said.

Mullen said the method used by Alabama Water Watch has been approved for first alert monitoring by Region 4 of the USEPA.

The information was provided to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Conservation and National Resources, Mullen said.

The information also is posted on the Waterkeeper Alliance SWIM Guide site.