Results of testing so far this summer for E. coli on the Chippewa River have been revealed.
E. coli levels on the Chippewa River were sampled on Tuesday at School Road bridge crossing, Meridian Park, Chipp-A-Waters Park, North Branch Chippewa River near Meridian Road, and Chippewa Road bridge crossing, said Kellie Henige, Water Quality Specialist for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, in a news release issued Friday.
The daily geometric mean for E. coli needs to be below 300 colony forming units per 100 milliliters (CFU/mL), per State of Michigan Water Quality Standards.
If it is above that level, human contact with the water should be avoided.
The results for daily geometric mean are as follows:
• School Road bridge crossing: 59 CFU/mL;
• Meridian Park: 72 CFU/mL;
• North Branch Chippewa River near Meridian Road: 396.5 CFU/mL;
• Chipp-A-Waters Park/Millpond Park: 155 CFU/mL;
• Chippewa Road bridge crossing: 91 CFU/mL; and
• Cold Water River bridge crossing: 183 CFU/mL.
The E. coli levels are higher at the North Branch test site because of drainage ditches that eventually empty into either the Chippewa or the North Branch of the Chippewa.