Swim Safe! Bacteria levels on the South River for the Week of 6/20
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The South River Federation's swimming water bacteria results are in! Samples were collected on the morning of June 20th. South River Park Community and Pine Wiff yielded bacteria levels beyond what the County and EPA consder safe. Concern arises when bacteria levels are greater than 104 cfu/100 ml. See chart for detailed results. If you have specific questions about the program or bacteria results, contact the South RIVERKEEPER Diana Muller.
How Can I Stay Safe?
The Anne Arundel County Health Department states that after a rainfall, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for 48 hours due to predicted elevated bacteria levels from rainwater runoff and increased health risks.
All this bacteria talk may seem a bit intimidating to have to think about each time you swim. If you do go swimming, here are some simple tips. Try to remember the 48 hour rule of thumb. Take a hot, soapy shower afterwards (this includes pets too!). Take special precaution when you have an open wound and try to avoid getting that area wet if possible.
What is Operation Clearwater?
Operation Clearwater is a collaborative effort with Dr. Sally Hornor of AACC aimed at providing timely public health information to participating communities and helping to identify times when it may be inadvisable to swim. The South River Federation manages the Operation Clearwater for the South River. The program runs Memorial Day through late August.
Do you want the swimming waters in your community tested? Click here for the South River application.
South River Federation
11:32 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Department of Health Lifts Water Contact Advisory for South River Heights
June 22, 2012 - The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has lifted the advisory for South River Heights in Riva, Maryland, as samples show that bacteria are now at acceptable levels for swimming and other direct water contact. The advisory for the beach was issued June 20 due to high bacteria levels found in water samples.
The beach, located on the South River, is tested regularly as part of the summer recreational water quality sampling program, which monitors more than 90 community beaches. To see water quality reports, maps and advisories, visit http://www.aahealth.org/programs/env-hlth/rec-water/reports. Information is also available on the Water Quality Line, 410-222-7999.
Subscribers to this free Recreational Water Quality E-mail Alert System receive e-mail notifying them of waterway advisories and closings. Alerts can also be received via text messages on cell phones and smartphones by following the Department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aahealth_water.
Zoe Cat
12:22 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
So who pays for this monitoring? Does the tax money people who cannot use the beaches pay for the wealthy to have fun?
Chris S.
7:16 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Since the wealthy typically pay more in taxes I don't see the problem.
South River Federation
1:02 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Each community or homeowners association in the Operation Clearwater program pays a fee that covers the cost to collect and analyze the bacteria samples for their site. You can view the application here: http://www.southriverfederation.net/images/stories/pdf/clearwaterapplication.pdf.
John W. Koontz
8:38 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Portions of the South River are still above the safe levels this week yet parents will have their kids out in the water all weekend.