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E. coli Alerts: Pittsburgh Waterways Unsafe for Fun
14 Aug
Summary
- E. coli levels exceed safe recreation standards in local streams.
- Three Rivers Waterkeeper samples 13 sites weekly for bacteria.
- Sewage contamination was found and addressed in Pine Creek.
Several streams and tributaries across the Pittsburgh area are experiencing E. coli levels that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's safety standards for recreational activities. Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a local environmental group, conducts weekly water quality testing at 13 sites throughout the summer season. Their proactive monitoring aims to inform the public about the safety of water bodies used for various recreational purposes.
The group's testing includes routine sites and locations requested by the community, such as Lake Elizabeth. While often finding slightly elevated E. coli levels, significantly high concentrations were detected in Pine Creek a few weeks ago. This issue was traced to sewage entering the creek, prompting a collaborative effort with ALCOSAN to rectify the contamination.
Volunteers play a crucial role by collecting samples from their neighborhoods, allowing Three Rivers Waterkeeper to focus on specific problem areas and dedicate more resources to addressing identified issues. This community involvement enhances the effectiveness of their water quality surveillance program.
