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PrintJEFFERSON CITY — State water-quality testing at the Lake of the Ozarks found low levels of bacteria.
The Department of Natural Resources took 55 samples on July 7 from the Lake of the Ozarks Community Toll Bridge to mile marker 30. The department reported Thursday that every sample had low levels of E. coli bacteria. Some E. coli strains can make people sick.
June tests found high levels of E. coli, mainly in high-traffic areas near Tan-Tar-A Resort.
But the two monthly tests were done in different coves, making it difficult to compare results because bacteria levels are highly localized. It’s also common to get sudden bacteria spikes that quickly dissipate.
The Department of Natural Resources plans next month to retest the coves that were examined in June.
Comments
Let's include the "rest of the story." Karen Dillion, a very irresponsible reporter from the KC Star who wrote the original article that was picked up by AP, continues to NOT include all of the facts. I find it very interesting that the day she publishes her story on the Lake of the Ozarks, the July testing results are released by the Dept. Of Natural Resources. While the Lake had 29 out of 55 sites tested above the acceptable levels in May (which by the way the May tests were conducted following a heavy rain fall) the July DNR test results showed one concern area out of 55 sites tested (in the Laurie MO area). That's 54 areas that did not have any concern areas and tested below the acceptable E. coli levels, most below 30 colonies per 100 milliliters (acceptable levels are below 126 colonies per 100 milliliters) and a futher endorsement of why it's not fair to test following a heavy rain. Why didn't Karen Dillon include these results in her story? I would sure like to see how the Lake of the Ozarks cleanliness compares to the other major lakes in our wonderful state? Where's the e-coli results for Table Rock, Truman, Stockton, Bull Shoals, Taneycomo, Smithville, Mark Twain and Pomme De Terre? I'm sure the public would have a completely different view of the Lake of the Ozarks. Hats off to the LOTO team that's taking a pro-active approach to ensure safe clean water conditions and fixing any problem areas through regular testing. We need to test all Missouri Lakes and Streams and inform the public of the results. So let's compare apples to apples here folks. And more importantly, if you're going to call yourself a reporter, then do your job responsibly and report on all the sides of an issue, not just the ones that sell newspapers. Either way, DNR should never withhold information from the citizens that provide their paychecks.