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Test Shows E. coli Levels At Double The State Limit In Escambia River At Century
March 4, 2019
A recent water quality test of Escambia River near Century’s wastewater treatment plant showed E. coli bacteria levels more than double the state limits, but the bacterial levels did not result from the plant.
According to a report obtained by North Escambia, a state certified lab found E. coli levels of 906 MPN/100ml downstream from the Century wastewater plant and 813 MPN/100ml upstream.
The state limit is 410 MPN/ml for single samples, according Brandy Smith of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). She said different acceptable levels apply depending on the number of samples collected.
“The E. coli samples collected upstream and downstream of the facility’s discharge point do exceed the single sample surface water quality standard for Class III fresh water bodies,” Smith said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. Class III fresh water bodies are those, like the Escambia River, used for recreation, fishing and wildlife.
The samples were taken February 13 as the result of a complaint the FDEP received alleging an unreported spill from Century’s wastewater treatment plant. However, testing revealed effluent discharge from the facility into the river was within guidelines at 10 MPN/100ml.
“The E. coli samples were collected as part of a complaint inspection to help us determine if there were impacts to the river from the wastewater facility. The results do not indicate impacts to the river from the facility,” Smith said. “E. coli levels can be affected by many factors, such as stormwater runoff and wildlife.”
The single sample on February 13 did not warrant any health advisories from the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia River in North Escambia County is not routinely tested for E. coli, but there have been 64 tests from 2013 to 2018, according to FDEP. Of those, 51 were below the acceptable threshold, and 13 were above. The results over the five-year period ranged from 5 to 2,420 MPN/100ml.
Pictured: The Century wastewater treatment plant. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the plant was not responsible for high levels of E. coli in the Escambia River. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Test Shows E. coli Levels At Double The State Limit In Escambia River At Century”
Well played, Sparkle, well played.
Perhaps I read very well and I actually read the part of the article that said the tests were a result of an investigation into an unreported spill and the part that said that there was a complaint investigation. My comment was based on those statements that clearly indicate someone complained about the plant employees spilling wastewater and then failing to report it. Obviously, the results of the tests proved that the complaint was unfounded. So although it didn’t have the intended effect on the plant employees it was still an attempt to make them look bad. And perhaps before you insult another person’s reading ability, you should learn the difference between to and too. Just saying.
Perhaps Sparkles don’t read to well. Clearly states that Century’s discharge had nothing to do with the high levels.
However it would be nice if the State had acted like they cared and looked into the matter a little more.
Maybe some samples in Big Escambia Creek or upstream from the creek ? There are other sewer discharge points upstream.
Assure someone they checked instead of just brushing it off as being due to high rainfall amounts. Although it may well have been.
Wild hogs and humans who like to stir the ecoli. They like to make the Town of Century and it’s employees look like they are ineffective. Perhaps they are unhappy with their lives and take pleasure in causing grief for hard working folks who are trying to make Century a better place to live.
I’d bet the increase in wild hog population has a lot to do do with it.
Our take away here is “The results do not indicate impacts to the river from the facility,” Smith said.
Other communities wish they had our delicious water!
Close to 8 feet of rain last year and it’s still raining!!! I’ve never seen the ground this saturated with water.
Every septic tank in every yard will be supplying it’s small share towards either escambia or perdido river.