The Monongahela River tested low for bacteria recently, with no detection of E. coli, clearing the way for Sunday's Mountaineer Triathlon.
The Monongahela River tested low for bacteria recently, with no detection of E. coli, clearing the way for Sunday's Mountaineer Triathlon.
Morgantown Dominion Post 23 June 2006 By Gary Gray
Swimmers will cross the finish line in Sunday's Mountaineer Triathlon at a spot in the Monongahela River that has tested low for bacteria, with no detection of E. coli.
Triathlon participants will swim, run, and bicycle. The Olympic distance race features a swim of 1,500 meters, or a little less than one mile. Swimmers entered in the half iron distance race will travel 1.2 miles.
With 500 swimmers. Expected to take the plunge, The Dominion Post hired Triad Engineering to test water samples for bacteria levels.
Triad took samples at least 20 feet from the Mon River shoreline in front of Oliverio's Ristorante on June 10 and June 14. The location is at a point where athletes will leave the water and continue the contest aboard bicycles.
Results from, both samples revealed low levels of total coliform (all bacteria), fecal coliform readings well within state standards for recreational waters, and "negligible" E. coli readings.
"Both E. coli readings were less than 3 MPN, meaning the most probable number of E. coli bacteria found in 100 milliliters of water," said Jim Seckel, Triad chemist and lab manager. "There is no established standard for E. coli, but the `less than' in that finding means I did not find any E. coli Most strains of Escherichia coli -- to use the full name &mdash are harmless. However, some E. coli bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. When asked if he would be hesitant to swim in the Mon River, Seckel replied: &ldquoI wouldn't worry a bit." The June 10 sample found a total coliform reading of 5Q0 MPN. The only established standard for total coliform is for public water supply or drinking water.
"That number is zero," Seckel said. "But the 500 reading is not really significant. You can find a clear stream and drink from it. It can have bacteria in it, but you won't get sick. In other words, there are 'types of bacteria that are not harmful."
The June 10 sample also found a fecal coliform reading of 130 MPN, which is below the state standard of 200 for recreational waters.
Samples taken on June 14 tested extremely low for total coliform (50 MPN) and fecal coliform (23 MPN).
"I'd say the important number is the low fecal coliform," said Evan Hansen, Friends of Deckers Creek president. "They're low, and that's a good thing. I would caution that bacteria levels vary a lot according to rainfall, but this triathlon is great and shows that people are using the river for recreation." Donald C. Strimbeck, Upper Monongahela River Association secretary, said he was not surprised by the findings.
"This bears out what we've known in the past &mdash that the Mon is a safe place to swim," he said. "Keep in mind, we've not had any high water for a few years. And a test after a high-water episode might show higher numbers. But we're glad to hear this." Jay Redmond, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau sports and special events director, said the river is in "really good shape" and recreational use there will continue to grow.
"It's extremely good news," he said about the test results. "But I've got to be honest. I'm really not surprised. This says to people, `Hey, let's go get in."
The Dominion Post hired Triad Engineering to test water samples for bacteria levels. Triad took samples at least 20 feet from the Mon River shoreline in front of 0liverio's Ristorante on June 10 and June 14.