Event site E. Coli safe now

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

Thursdays test came in well under the high level of weds.
Open to swimming, etc.
Thanks for all the info.

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

From Riverkeeper:

High E.coli Levels at Hood River Event Site

During Riverkeeper's regular E. coli bacteria sampling, we discovered Hood River's Event Site exceeds the safe limits for bacteria. The EPA limit is 235 MPN (most probable number of colonies), and the Event Site registered 272 MPN on Monday and greater than 2,419 MPN on Wednesday. We will collect additional samples today, which take 24 hours to incubate and obtain results.

With the hot weather in the forecast, we wanted to inform our members about the high E. coli levels.

E. coli is an indicator bacteria that is linked to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, severe stomach cramps and even prolonged illnesses such as typhoid and dysentery. Contaminated waters pose the greatest risk to children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

To check the status of E.coli levels at the Event Site, Riverkeeper provides real-time data on our website and Swim Guide, a free smart phone app.

We have informed the City of Hood River and the Port and requested that they put up signs warning people about the problem.

We do not currently know the cause of the E. coli pollution. E. coli levels can fluctuate quickly so we're hopeful the water may be safe for water contact sports very soon. We encourage you to continue to enjoy the Columbia River for swimming, fishing, and wind sports. And, check out Swim Guide for the most up-to-date bacteria levels at your favorite recreation sites.

K2 · Since 30 Apr 2009 274 Posts Hood River, OR Obsessed

Thanks for the heads up! E. Coli sucks big time, trust me. Be careful!

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

I wonder if the high e.coli counts are just around the swimming area by the grass at the event site where the water is more stagnant? It seems unlikely there would be a lot of e.coli out in the main channel where there is more flow, unless there is raw sewage being dumped into the river.

Also, where is the e.coli coming from? It must be from all those loose dogs running around crapping in the water Shocked

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

I just realized it's WindFest weekend too Sad

kiterbiker · Since 12 Jun 2010 65 Posts

There are a lot of communities, farms and farm waste/run off (All that fertilizer and weed killer goes somewhere!), industry, radioactive waste and other fun things going into the water upriver from the event site.....

I would bet there are a number of sources that this particular problem could be stemming from.

forrest · Thu Jun 27, 13 5:36 pm

Sorry guys, I really had to go!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

My guess is it's just some dog or goose poo that got washed off the grass and into the water by the recent heavy rains. No wind to stir the water and carry it out of the sandbar stagnation area.

Where, exactly, was this one sample taken? Is it possible there was a problem with the test?

Lets not get our panties in a bunch just yet. 300,000 cubic feet per second can wash away a lot of poo.

Nak · Thu Jun 27, 13 9:33 pm

So, Portland has the CSO's to pollute the river after a rain event, the Hood has CGSO's. (Combined Goose Shit Overflows.) Very Happy

I'm curious what the E.coli count is in the boat basin...

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Sella · Fri Jun 28, 13 8:23 am

Mike D · Since 28 Apr 2011 195 Posts Hood River Stoked

Nak · Fri Jun 28, 13 9:45 am

Mark · Fri Jun 28, 13 10:54 am

Did a quick Google search on E-Coli..... YUK

Frequently Asked Questions:
Is un-scooped dog poop really a problem? It is estimated that dogs in Greenville County generate 15,742 tons of waste each year. When pet owners do not properly dispose of their pet’s waste, bacteria from the waste becomes a source of water pollution. Bacteria found in animal waste is one of the most heavily regulated pollutants in waters in Greenville County, in the state of South Carolina and in waters across the United States.

Doesn’t dog poop eventually just go away? Dog poop has 23 million E. coli bacteria per gram. An average dog generates 276 pounds of waste each year. That’s a lot E. coli created each year by a single dog. When their poop is not scooped, that E. coli lives for several years. Even though the poop may wash away, bacteria remain on the ground and can make dogs and children sick. And when un-scooped dog poop is washed away, it ends up in storm drains or enters waterways directly.

Why do I need to Scoop the Poop on my own property? Can’t I just throw it in the woods or put it in the stream? Scooping the poop is more than just a polite thing to do when you are in public or walking around your neighborhood. While dog poop does smell and is a nuisance to others, the biggest concern is the bacteria lurking in the poop. If it is not properly cleaned up, dog poop will get washed away in rain water and end up in storm drains which directly connect to our local waters. All water is connected, so the bacteria that were in your dog’s un-scooped poop may even be found in the ocean. This is why when you visit the beach in the summer it is sometimes closed and is also why you are encouraged not to swim in the Reedy River downtown. Swimming in E. coli can be very dangerous for children and animals.
Isn’t dog poop just nature’s fertilizer? While bacteria and pet waste break down naturally, the ecosystem cannot handle the number of domestic dogs we concentrate in a small area. The natural ecosystem can only handle two canines in a square mile. In urban areas, there are 125 dogs per square mile. The natural system simply cannot filter and absorb all that poop.

Is dog poop really that much worse than other animals’ waste – like geese or raccoons? Dog poop has 23 million E. coli bacteria per gram. Not scooping the dog poop lets that E. coli live for several years. Human waste has 13 million and is treated when flushed down the toilet, killing bacteria before waste is released into local waters.

Wild animals, like geese and raccoons, have less E. coli in their feces. These wild animals also have natural population controls that limit the number of animals in one area and keep the amount of bacteria regulated.

Unlike goose and raccoon poop, the problem of dog poop has an easy solution. All you have to do is be responsible for your pet! Scoop the poop by grabbing, bagging and tossing it.

I have a small dog so why I should have to scoop the poop? Every dog generates 23 million E. coli per gram of poop. Even small dogs will leave behind billions of bacteria every day in their waste. Although each household only generates a small amount of pet waste, these small amounts add up to a water quality problem every gram of dog poop can cause water pollution.

You tell us to Scoop the Poop and then throw the bags in the landfill. Isn’t that just as bad as not scooping? People are encouraged to scoop the poop using biodegradable or compostable bags, which are available at local pet stores. Landfills have liners and treatment systems, so pollutants won't leach into the environment like they would if dog poop is left on the ground. We certainly want to reduce our waste stream to landfills wherever possible. If you use biodegradable bags the dog poop can break down in a more natural way, without entering the water. Once the bags and pet waste are in the landfill, they will break down over time.

Are there environmentally-friendly options for cleaning up after my dog besides tossing potty bags into the trash? There are a variety of simple things people can do to become more conscientious pet owners. The quickest, easiest way to get rid of a dog's poop is to put it in a plastic bag and either drop the bag in a trash can or flush the bag's contents down a toilet.

Pet owners can also use pet waste composters or digesters to clean up after their dogs. These are simple and inexpensive methods for disposing of poop that is good for the environment and reduces the amount of waste collected at landfills. Stool that is disposed of in the pet waste digester is broken down though added enzymes and water to create a better yard. The poop is carried through the system to the areas surrounding the digester spot, much like a septic system. The end product becomes a fertilizer that you never have to touch. Once you add the waste and enzymes, the digester does all the work for you!

Composting your dog’s waste is an easy process. Choose a sunny, dry spot near the dog area to create your compost bin, separate from your garden compost pile.
You will need to use a specialized dog waste bin to reach the high temperatures necessary to eliminate pathogens at a quick pace. A bin also enables you to easily turn the compost and have increased aeration. You will need a shovel full of sawdust or another carbon-rich material for every two shovels full of dog waste. You mix the contents thoroughly, add in water in and cover the compost bin. Microbes break down the organic material and increase the temperature of the compost by releasing heat. The compost can be used in your yard as long as it is used on decorative plants only.

Why does Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District want you to Scoop the Poop? As part of the federal Clean Water Act, Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District operates the County’s Storm Water Education Program. When pet owners do not properly dispose of pet waste, bacteria from the waste becomes a source of water pollution. Under the Clean Water Act adminstered by SC DHEC, Greenville County is responsible for decreasing water pollution from storm water runoff in local lakes, rivers and streams.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

we need to build some waste facility and tax these dangerous species from thier dangerous natural processes.

It is way better to have a huge realitively new infrastructure to dwarf and oversee the issues that has been fine since time began.

shit happens....

wash your hands.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed