Columbia Health Department begins water testing

In the last four years, Flat Branch Creek has been closed twice for dangerous bacteria levels.

Wednesday, Columbia Public Works was out at Flat Branch Creek dye-testing a storm drain.

The test results showed good news that the storm drain and sanitary sewage system are not crossing over.

The test results showed good news that the storm drain and sanitary sewage system are not crossing over.

But starting this weekend, more testing will be done on the creek.

The dangerous bacteria level was a problem in the creek water in 2011 and 2012.

In 2012 the creek had E coli levels ten times the amount that is federally recommended.

“There is not an ordinance or a mandate that says we have to test but we do it as a benefit to public health,” said Andrea Waner with the Columbia Health Department.

If a water test comes back with high levels of E coli, the Health Department will test it three more times before warning people of the dangers.

“If it continues to be above the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) level we will post a sign,”said Waner.

So if you do not see a sign does that mean the water is safe?

Waner told ABC 17 News that is not necessarily true.

“Even when we do test it that’s really just a snapshot in time that really just represents the last 24 hours,” said Waner.

For example, after the water test a flock of geese could come by bringing dangerous levels of E coli.