E. coli: Water was to be tested again Mon., watch for updates
“At your own risk,” were the words used by Morganton Point Manager Austin Holmes in reference to swimming and wading at the popular area on Blue Ridge Lale.
The United States Forest Service (USFS) posted an advisory on its website sometime over the weekend that wading and swimming at Morganton Point was not safe.
That advisory read, “...swimming and wading at the beach at the Morganton Point Recreation Area on Lake Blue Ridge, Fannin County, Georgia, are not recommended. Results of a routine water test identified conditions, likely due to recent heavy rains, that exceed water quality standards established by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
“Morganton Point Recreation Area will continue to be open for camping, picnicking, launching boats, and other recreational activities, and visitors may continue to use the beach during the advisory period. The Forest Service will continue to conduct water tests in coordination with the EPD and TVA and will remove the advisory as soon as possible.”
The test was completed by Find Outdoors through the University of Georgia’s Agriculture Center as is done every week from Memorial Day until mid-August, according to Jennifer Woodard, the recreation manager at Morganton Point.
According to Laura Fitzmorris of the Forest Service Public Affairs Office, the water test contained levels of E. coli that were “slightly elevated.” She stated that the next step is figuring out why this was the case with the sample.
In reviewing the lab results from the test, it shows that the levels of E. coli are nearly double the maximum recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Fitzmorris claimed that many factors could have contributed to the E. coli levels in the sample, such as recent rainfall, contamination from geese, or contamination from the sample taker.
Holmes said precautions that sample takers must use include not shaking the sample, using gloves, and making sure no skin comes in contact with the sample.
As of Monday morning, a sign was posted on the information board where visitors pay. On Monday afternoon, more, updated signs were posted in mass throughout the recreation and campground areas, notifying visitors of the water advisory.
Tests will continue to be taken to ensure the water is safe and the advisory will be taken down once the water has been deemed safe.
A test was scheduled for Monday. As soon as those results are known, and whether or not the advisory continues, information will be posted on The News Observer’s Facebook page.