E. coli reported at Cove Recreation Site

The Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday, Aug.19, that test results of the public water system at the Cove Recreation Site at C.J. Strike Reservoire identified the presence of E. coli. bacteria.

Results indicated the levels have been found to exceed the Maximum Containment Level (MCL) --the maximum amount of a contaminant allowed in water delivered to a user of any public water system, as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and 2004.

Travelling from Grand View, the Cove Recreation Site is approximately 15 miles southeast on Highway 78.

On Thursday, BLM representatives notified campers at the site, with hand-delivered Drinking Water Warning information sheets warning of the contaminant presence. Signs about the water contamination were also placed on information kiosks and at several other locations around the recreation site.

The source of the contamination is unknown at this time.

The BLM is already taking corrective actions, including chlorinating and flushing the water system and temporarily turning off all potable water sources such as hydrants, so that campers, and especially children, will not accidentally drink from them.

When the type and source of the contamination are verified, additional corrective actions will be taken.

In the interim, the potable water system will remain shut down while the source of the contamination is investigated.

E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in those wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.