Be cautious of water quality at times after heavy rains and rising water!

This information is given to the public by Pulaski County Health Center (PCHC) for public health information purposes. PCHC is conducting sampling in order to inform citizens of recreational water conditions. The information given will allow citizens to make informed decisions on when they feel water conditions are favorable for bodily contact and recreational activity. PCHC will be sampling from eight (8) different locations within Pulaski County to gain a good perspective  of overall water quality. Public notification of sewage lagoon outfall has now been posted at the point source location to make waterway users aware and recommended not to swim near posted signs. Although the outfall and it's treatment center have been updated and reconstructed.

Big Piney River Ross Bridge Access: Duke, Mo (Site P1)

Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) established water quality criteria for monitoring bacteria, which states no single water sample should have an E. coli count that exceeds 235 CFU's (colony forming units) per 100 ml of water. To determine the weeks testing numbers look in the column labeled MPN/100 ml and compare to EPA number.

If river waters are rising after a rain, it is best not to swim in that body of water due to higher prevalence of bacteria and greater chance of accidental drowning. Please be very careful around all bodies of water when flooding is occurring.

---

Sites that PCHC tests E. coli levels at:

Gasconade River Locations:
G1 - Hwy 133 Access
G2 - Hwy 7 Access
G3 - Hwy 28 Veterans Bridge Access
G4 - Hwy O Riddle Bridge Access
G5 - Schlichts Spring Access

Big Piney River Locations:
P1 - Ross Access
P2 - Rt 66 Access

Roubidoux Creek Location:
R1 - Roubidoux Park

---

Sample results are available upon request. Samples will be taken semi-monthly from April until Mid-October, unless water rises to unsafe levels to take samples. Should e.coli results reach dangerous levels, public notification will be made with frequency of testing being increased at the testing site until levels drop to normal levels.  If high levels continue, cause of contamination will be investigated. 

Sampling Locations:

Pulaski County River Sample Map