News Release No. 476

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IDENTIFIES SYSTEMS
THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH WATER TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Volume 33-476

Contact: Susan Bloomer

(For immediate release)

573-526-1825

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 18, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of 36 drinking water systems that have chronically failed to do required bacteriological testing. The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify that these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.

The systems on the list have had at least three major monitoring violations in a 12-month period. Counties with systems listed are presented in alphabetical order. Systems are given in alphabetical order within each county. Counties with several systems listed have a large number of public water systems, most of which are in compliance with drinking water regulations.

Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has both a record of failure to monitor and a history of MCL violations, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water. Failing to monitor can result in ongoing bacteriological problems. Often, informing the public of the system's chronic failure to monitor will prompt a system to routinely submit samples.

The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri complies with all monitoring requirements and meets all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule, as this current list of 36 systems represents only 1.3 percent of the approximately 2,700 public drinking water systems in Missouri.

These systems' owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, more stringent enforcement action is pursued through legal channels.

The type of bacteria monitored is called total coliform bacteria. Although these bacteria are common in the environment and generally not harmful by themselves, they do indicate the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, possible jaundice and associated headaches and fatigue. The presence of these bacteria can result from a number of problems. These could be due to an improperly constructed or deteriorating well, inadequate water treatment, or contamination in the distribution system, including water towers and the mains that distribute the water.

If a water sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli, bacteria, which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli unless specifically stated otherwise.

To view more details on the violators listed, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/3Qchronic.pdf.

(COUNTY) -- (Public Drinking Water System)

BARRY -- Dell Apartments

BENTON -- Sun Valley Subdivision

CAMDEN -- Knoockers, Paradise Restaurant, Rapid Roberts #117, Standing Rock Campground, The Hill

CRAWFORD -- Bird's Nest Lodge

GASCONADE -- Bland

GREENE -- Springfield Skateland

JASPER -- Modern Day Veterans Chapter 312

JEFFERSON -- Valle Acres Mobile Home Park

LACLEDE -- Sign Fab Inc.

LINCOLN -- Christian Family Child Care Center

MARIES -- Ray Rays LLC

MILLER -- Blue Ridge Mobile Home Park, Osage Ridge Apartments, Village Marina

MONTGOMERY -- Loutre Shore Country Club

MORGAN -- American Veterans Post #108, Frogs, Three Pigs Bar B Q and Grill, Uncle Sam's Ice Cream and Deli

PETTIS -- Meadowlark Acres Mobile Home Park

STONE -- Bearded Clam Restaurant, Cedar Haven Resort, Cove Resort, Crest Lodge, Starlight Village, Starrlite Village -- 4th addition, Stormy Point Campground and Resort

TANEY -- Flat Creek Resort and Restaurant, Lake Shore Resort

WARREN -- St. Ignatius Loyola School

WASHINGTON -- Bri-co. Inc.

WEBSTER -- Country Quick Shop

These and other violations are detailed in the department's Annual Compliance Report of Missouri Public Drinking Water Systems. This report defines the quality and safety of drinking water provided by Missouri's public water systems. The report contains general compliance statistics for the year and describes violations of maximum contaminant levels, treatment techniques and significant monitoring and reporting violations. The 2004 Annual Compliance Report is currently available and may be obtained by calling the Department of Natural Resources' Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331 or a copy can be downloaded at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/fyreports/index.html.

For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-8309.

For news releases on the web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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