These are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that I collected yesterday, July 17.   In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.17.2019

The E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected on July 17, 2019 indicated that 3 out of the 15 water samples collected exceeded the Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches.  These sites were:

FW36, Manassas Run, a tributary the feeds into the Main-stem Shenandoah River just upstream of the public boat landing at Morgan’s Ford “low water” Bridge on Morgans Ford Road, Warren County

FSMB, North Fork Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom Covered Bridge in Shenandoah County

FCOC, Opequon Creek, off Neill Road at ford the dividing line between Clarke & Frederick Counties

These are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that I collected yesterday, July 9.   In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.09.2019

The E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected on July 09, 2019 indicated that 1 out of the 15 water samples collected surpassed the Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches.  This one site was

Opequon Creek, FCOC, off Neill Road at ford the dividing line between Clarke & Frederick Counties

These are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that I collected yesterday, July 5.   In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.05.2019

The E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected on July 05, 2019 indicated that 9 out of the 14 water samples collected surpassed the Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches.  These 9 sites were the following:

FC-08, Main-stem Shenandoah River at Castleman’s Ferry public boat ramp, located below the Route 7 bridge in Clarke County

FC-05, Main-stem Shenandoah River at Lockes Landing public boat landing in Clarke County

FC-01, Main-stem Shenandoah River at Berry’s public boat ramp, located below the Route 50 bridge in Clarke County

FW-35, Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H₂O bridge public boat landing below confluence with Manassas Run

FW-35 Mid, Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H₂O bridge mid width of river

FW-36, Manassas Run, a tributary the feeds into the Shenandoah River just above the public boat landing, the water sample is collected above the confluence with the Main-stem Shenandoah in Warren County

FW-14, South Fork Shenandoah River at Front Royal public boat landing off Luray Ave in Warren County

FSMB, North Fork Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom Covered Bridge in Shenandoah County

FCOC, Opequon Creek off Neill Road at ford the dividing line between Clarke & Frederick Counties

The goal of FOSR’s summer E. coli testing project is to provide frequent, real-time accredited E. coli concentration results for river recreation users to make their own informed decision about potential associated health risks when recreating in the areas of the river tested.

If fecal coliform is detected in the water, it indicates that there was recent fecal contamination in the water systems.  Detection of E. coli bacteria in the water indicates recent fecal contamination as well as a possible presence of other disease-causing microorganisms or pathogens.  As the level of E. coli bacterium increases the potential health risk from exposure to pathogenic organisms also increases.

Signs and symptoms of exposure to waterborne diseases may include;

• Gastrointestinal illnesses such as
  • gas
  • abdominal cramping
  • diarrhea
  • nausea, which may result in vomiting
  • loss of appetite
• Urinary tract infections
• Respiratory infections
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Exposure to open wounds by the waterborne pathogens can cause infections of the wound that may result in extended, and sometimes painful, healing time.
• In rare causes developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome

In mild to moderate cases, one may not associate their symptoms with recent water related recreational activities especially if the symptoms do not manifest until three or four days later.  Also, not all people will be affected to the same degree; young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of experiencing illness and more serious complications caused by harmful E. coli bacteria and associated pathogens.

Here are this week’s quantitative E. coli concentration results from the 15 public access and recreational use sites located on the Main-stem, North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and the Opequon Creek being tested by the Friends of the Shenandoah River.  The water samples were collected on Tuesday, July 02.

In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

The E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected on July 02, 2019 indicated that the following sites surpassed the Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches:

Manassas Run, FW-36, above the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low water bridge in Warren county

Opequon Creek, FCOC, off Neill Road at ford in Clarke/Frederick counties

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.02.2019

The following are recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health to help prevent illness and injury when swimming in natural waters:

1. Avoid swimming in natural waters for a few days after a heavy rain event.
2. Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
3. Avoid getting water shot up your nose when swimming, especially in warm shallow water.
4. Avoid swimming or wading in with open wounds or cuts.
5. Look for posted signs near the swimming area.
6. Don’t swim in areas where there are dead fish present.
7. Don’t swim if you are ill.
8. Shower with soap and clean water after swimming.
9. Avoid swimming in muddy water of lakes, ponds, and rivers.
10. Avoid swimming in unfamiliar ponds, streams, creeks, ditches, and canals.
11. Be aware of local weather conditions prior to recreational activities and watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/waterborne-hazards-control/?tab=3

These are the E. coli concentration results for the 10 samples that I collected yesterday morning, Friday, June 28,  to capture the effect that localized,scattered  rain showers have on E. coli levels.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FOSR-2019-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-06.28.2019.pdf

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.28.2019

Here are this week’s quantitative E. coli concentration results from the 15 public access and recreational use sites located on the Main-stem, North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and the Opequon Creek being tested by the Friends of the Shenandoah River.  The water samples were collected on Thursday, June 27.

In a freshwater system, the data represents a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.  E. coli levels are fluid, meaning that the concentration of E. coli changes.   Such changes are influenced by many factors, including;

• changes in the volume of flow caused by
  • local and regional rain events that flush contaminants from the land surfaces into the streams and rivers
  • water withdrawal and drought
• runoff from urban, suburban, rural and agriculture lands
• illicit discharge, failing septic systems, contaminated groundwater
• wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans

Last night (Thursday, June 27) thunderstorms, with at times heavy rains, passed through Frederick, Clarke, Warren, and Shenandoah counties.   This morning, Friday June 28, I collected water samples from the following locations to see what, if any, effect the rain may have had on the E. coli concentrations at these sites:

• Opequon Creek (FCOC)
• Main-stem of the Shenandoah River in Clarke County (FC01, FC05, and FC08)
• Main-stem of the Shenandoah River Warren (FW35 and FW 35 Mid)  – did not observe evidence of rain at this site, such as standing puddles of water, yet surfaces, dampness
• Manassas Run (FW36) in Warren County –  did not observe evidence of rain at this site, such as standing puddles of water, yet surfaces, dampness
• South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Warren County (FW14)
• North Fork of the Shenandoah River in Shenandoah County (FSDR and FSSP)

The E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected today will be posted tomorrow morning.

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.27.2019

Here are this week’s quantitative E. coli concentration results from the 15 public access and recreational use sites on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River and Opequon Creek.

Here are this week’s quantitative E. coli concentration results from the 15 public access and recreational use sites on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

It is important to remember that these data points represent the E. coli levels at the specific site location, on the date, time, and conditions when the water sample was collected.  Changes in weather, such as the rain event last night, can cause E. coli levels to change.

FOSR 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.12.2019

In response to the public concerns about exposure to reported increased bacteria levels in the Shenandoah River, the FOSR launched a project that began in 2017 to test the Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) levels in the Shenandoah River at public access and recreational areas. Initially, the project started with three sites selected on the Main Stem of the Shenandoah River in Clarke County, Virginia that were tested from May through August. The FOSR implemented the same once a week testing methodology used by the Virginia Department of Health for the public coastal beaches of Virginia. The goal of FOSR’s summer E. coli testing project is to provide frequent, real-time accredited E. coli concentration results for river recreation users to make their own informed decision about potential associated health risks when recreating in the areas of the river tested.

Thanks to generous funding received to continue the project, in 2018 the FOSR expanded its E. coli testing project to include a total of fifteen sites located on the North Fork, South Fork, Main Stem of the Shenandoah River and Opequon Creek. The project was launched the first week of May and continued through the last week of September.

FOSR 2018 Summer E. coli Testing Project Report Summary