E. coli levels improve in Lake Natoma but rise in Folsom Lake, water samples indicate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Water samples recently collected at Lake Natoma show E. coli levels have dropped, but elevated levels were detected in one area of Folsom Lake.
(Previous coverage in the video player above)
Samples collected Tuesday show levels at the Willow Creek Day Use Area, Nimbus Flat North Beach and Black Miners Bar Swim Area are now below the threshold that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe in recreational waters.
The threshold, which is a measurement of the concentration of bacteria in the water, is 320 MPN/100mL. MPN or most probable number is the laboratory estimate of how many bacteria are present in 100 milliliters of water.
| PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Elevated E. coli levels detected at Folsom Lake State Recreation swimming areas
Samples collected on July 21 found E. coli levels at the Black Miners Bar Swim Area dropped to 58.1. Testing in the same area on July 14 found levels of 1732.9, more than five times the EPA limit.
At the Willow Creek Day Use Area, levels dropped to 23.1 on July 21. Data from the Central Valley Water Board show levels have dropped since peaking at 613.1 on June 16.
E. coli levels at Nimbus Flat North Beach dropped to 40.8 after hitting 1203.3 on July 14, according to test results.
The weekly testing uncovered elevated E. coli levels at the Salmon Falls Raft Take-out area. Bacteria levels hit 2419.6, more than seven times the limit considered safe for recreational waters.
While most strains of E. coli are harmless, people are advised to be cautious while in the water. They recommend not drinking the water, avoiding swimming with open wounds and showering after water activities.
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