News Release 519

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

Volume 34-519

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 21, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of 44 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 that the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply. The systems on this list have had at least three major monitoring violations in a 12-month period.

The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meets all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule, as this current list of 44 systems represents only 1.6 percent of the approximately 2,700 public drinking water systems in Missouri.

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 a record of both failing to monitor and a history of exceeding contaminant levels, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water.

If a water sample test 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 the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/index.html.

County -- Public Drinking Water System

Barry -- Fisherman's Den, Star Lodge Motel, Inc.
Benton -- Roadhouse Resort and Marina, Sun Valley Subdivision
Camden -- Angie's Memory Lane Restaurant, Bambooze, Halfway Inn, Mariners Pier 31, Stingray Marina and Tuna Trap, The Climax One Stop
Douglas -- Fraternal Order of Eagles #374
Franklin -- Native Experience Campground
Gasconade -- Brown Shanty Lake Association
Greene -- Springfield Skateland, Virgil's Bar and Self Storage, Wimpy's Corner Store
Jasper -- Double Diamond Fuel Mart, Q and Brew
Jefferson -- The Market, Inc.
Johnson -- Hazel Hill Mobile Home Park
Laclede -- Sign Fab, Inc.
Lawrence -- Youngberg Estates Mobile Home Park
Lincoln -- Family Child Care Center
Miller -- Village Marina
Moniteau -- Moniteau Co. PWSD #2
Morgan -- Smoked on the Water, The Dummy, Time Out Sports Bar and Grill, Uncle Sam's Ice Cream and Deli
Ozark -- The Grapevine
Perry -- Missy's Country Kettle
Pettis -- Meadowlark Acres Mobile Home Park
Polk -- Roadside Café, Valley View Acres
St. Clair -- Old Plantation Motel
St. Francois -- Shamrock Restaurant and Lounge
St. Louis -- Crescent Farms Golf Club
Stone -- Deer Run Store and Campground, Stormy Point Campground and Resort, Turner Estates Subdivision
Taney -- Bridgewood Country Club
Washington -- Bri-Co Inc.
Webster -- Country Quick Stop
Wright -- Manes Restaurant

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, the department pursues more stringent enforcement action through legal channels.

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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