Surface Water Staff from the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District collected water samples from sites along the Medina River, Medina Lake, Sabinal River and their tributaries to assess levels of E. coli bacteria on Dec. 20.
E. coli is a bacteria found in the gut of warm-blooded animals and is known to potentially cause illness in humans if ingested. No primary contact recreation should take place if the number of E. coli exceeds 399 most probable number per 100 mL of water.
This standard is set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC §307.7).
Meaning, no one should participate in activities that could result in the total submersion of the head under water if counts exceed the 399 MPN standard.
There is ALWAYS a possibility of infection from E. coli or other waterborne illness. Never drink or ingest river water without proper disinfection, and always swim at your own risk.
Results, along with an interactive map, photos and more can be found on the BCRAGD website, www.bcragd.org, and the BCRAGD Facebook page.
