S. Canadian River germs make swimming risky
State report shows levels much higher than acceptable.
S. Canadian River germs make swimming risky

By John David Sutter

Published: June 28, 2008

Most waters that flow through Norman and south-central Oklahoma were contaminated with bacteria 50 to 100 times beyond levels acceptable for swimming, according to a draft government study of the area released this week.

The report underscores a nagging problem of bacterial pollution in Oklahoma's waters. The bacteria come mostly from feces, and regulators think the bulk of the fecal pollution comes from agriculture.

The South Canadian River watershed report is based on samples taken from 1997 to 2005 in an area that stretches southeast roughly from Hinton to Norman and Holdenville. Bodies of water examined include the South Canadian River, Julian Creek, Willow Creek, Spring Brook, Bishop Creek, Buggy Creek, Walnut Creek, Factory Creek and Little River.

All tested branches of the South Canadian River watershed would have to be cleaned of at least 30 percent of their bacteria to meet swimming standards, according to the report, which was released Wednesday by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Only five streams in the state are known to comply with all water quality standards, according to a report released last month. However, most streams are not tested or monitored.

"It doesn't mean that you're gonna get sick if you get in the water,” he said. "It's an elevated risk.”

People who do swim in the rivers are primarily at risk for diarrhea, stomach illness and ear infections, he said. By state law, all of those waters are supposed to be safe for swimming.

Terri Savage, a member of the state environmental quality board, said the state's animal farm regulations need to be tightened and enforced more strictly to deal with pollution.

"We're living in a time when our waters are under siege by these pollutants,” she said. "I personally think that we are stuck — regulatorywise — back in the 20th century, and we're in a 21st century world.”

Most of the area is sparsely populated with the exception of Norman and surrounding Cleveland County. Derichsweiler said he could think of only one swimming hole in the area — on the South Canadian near Norman.

Pollution standards should be based on the actual use of the water, he said. For example, areas not often used for swimming should not have to meet the same requirements as rivers that are popular swimming holes.

The bacterial contamination is indicated by tests for E. coli, enterococci and fecal coliform. The report lists wildlife, agriculture, pets and failing septic systems as sources of the pollution, but the report says it is impossible to tell exactly where the feces come from without further study.

Any time a water body doesn't meet state standards, a similar report — called a total maximum daily load report — must be produced to tell regulators how much pollution must be removed from the system to make it legal.

The EPA must approve the report before it becomes official.

Oklahoma has yet to complete many of the maximum daily load reports it is required by the federal government to produce. The state is behind because it lacks funds to do testing and complete reports, Derichsweiler said. However, the state is on track with a report schedule submitted to the EPA, he said.

The agency has not planned a public meeting, but will hold a public meeting on the topic if enough people express concerns.

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