We have officially launched our 2025 Summer E. coli Testing Program! Last week’s measurable rainfall appears to have helped flush out contaminants that accumulated during the drought. As a result, E. coli levels were low at most sampling sites on Thursday, May 22, 2025. However, elevated levels were still detected at two locations:
• FW14 – South Fork Shenandoah River @ Front Royal PBL off Luray Ave, Warren County VA
• FPHCTL – Hawksbill Creek @ Luray & Hawksbill Creek Greenway Pocket Park off Virginia Ave, Page County VA
Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses!
FOSR provides, as a guideline, the US Environmental Protection Agency recommended precautionary “do not exceed” freshwater Beach Action Value (BAV) of 235 CFU of E. coli bacteria per 100mL of water sample for early alert to for those planning on recreating in natural freshwaters, including families with children.
