Ortonville- Elevated e-coli levels in the Kearsley Creek has local officials concerned for the safety of residents.
According to a report issued by the Oakland County Drain Office the water in Kearsley Creek was tested on May 26 and again on June 7 from the Ball Street storm sewer outlet, Mill Street bridge and the South Street bridge.
The test conducted included 7,861 CFU (Colony Forming Units) on the May test and had decreased to 618 CFU on the June test.
‘All the e-coli water samples were above the 300 CFU or what is considered safe for full body contact,? said Ron Fadoir, Oakland County Drain Office environmental planner. However, a more accurate sample of the creek water over longer periods of time should be considered. The flowing water in the Kearsley Creek also influences the accuracy of the sample since the creek continually flushes debris through the area.?
Concerned for the health of the community, a representative from the Oakland County Drain Office and the Oakland County Health office attended the June 10 CreekFest where water contact could be possible.
As a result of these tests, village officials say public notice of unsafe e-coli levels are now posted near access areas on village property.
‘They test the waters on a regular basis over the past year,? said Sue Bess, council president.
‘It’s a puzzle,? said Bess. ‘The higher e-coli has come from a spot south of the village. We want to find out where the e-coli comes from and keep the people safe. We don’t have a lot of geese which produce e-coil in the creek but the lakes, which feed into the creek do have a higher population of geese. As of right now I don’t know of any source for the problem.?
Bess added that septic systems recently were tested for leaching near the village’s Narrin Park to determine if they were causing the elevated e-coli level. The results were negative says Bess.
‘We don’t know the exact quality of water at any given time in the creek,? said Forzley. The quality could change we have to take into consideration, the amount of rain runoff, the amount dogs dropping not picked up to failing septic systems’it could be human or animal.?