2018 Swim Guide Summary

     This summer, Pearl Riverkeeper volunteers conducted weekly E.coli testing at four Ross Barnett Reservoir locations in order to provide you with information about whether it was safe to swim! 
     Neither the MS Department of Environmental Quality nor the MS Department of Public Health conducts this type of weekly E.coli testing on our freshwater rivers and reservoirs.   We think that's a shame, so our volunteers spent Wednesdays in the summer testing your favorite Ross Barnett Reservoir locations to keep you informed!

     E. coli, a bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, can enter our waterways through agricultural runoff, wildlife, and leaking septic/sewer systems.  Human risk of getting sick from recreating in open water increases as E. coli concentration increases and young people and people with a compromised immune system are at greater risk.  E.coli itself can cause illnesses such as "swimmer's ear", upset stomach, and diarrhea, and E.coli can also indicate the presence of other more harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella and Giardia.

     Pearl Riverkeeper volunteers conducted 56 E.coli tests during 14 weeks in May through August at Natchez Trace Overlook, Old Trace Park, Lakeshore Park and Pelahatchie Bay Fishing Pier.  Results were posted each Friday on the Pearl Riverkeeper website, Swim Guide and through text alerts.  A location was marked Green if the test met EPA water quality standards or marked Red if the test exceeded the standard.  We issued 9 "high E.coli" alerts over the 14 weeks of summer.  Read the full results.

Natchez Trace Overlook

Old Trace Park

Lakeshore Park

Pelahatchie Creek

     What the data shows on the whole is that, in general, these Ross Barnett Reservoir locations are quite safe to swim.  Heavy rains in the area had great impact on local water quality.  Please use caution immediately after rainstorms as sewer overflows, failing septic and stormwater runoff can contain high levels of bacteria.  

What's next?  Pearl Riverkeeper is expanding its citizen science water quality monitoring program and will begin conducting bacteriological monitoring at locations on the main stem of the Pearl River above and below the Ross Barnett Reservoir.  In addition to bacteriological monitoring, volunteers will be conducting Water Chemistry Monitoring which involves testing pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity and temperature. 

The state of Mississippi has over 26,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers. For the state's 2016 Water Quality Assessment, MDEQ assessed only 11% of our waterways and stated that the status of water quality on the remaining 89% (23,568 miles) is unknown. Citizen science from our certified water quality monitors can help fill in the gaps and provide early detection of water quality issues in areas not actively monitored.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

• Volunteer for our Clean Water Team
• Text "PRKSWIMGUIDE" to 844-83 to receive water quality alerts by text message
• Support our work financially by becoming a member  

Thank you to all of our volunteers, supporters, Swim Guide, MDEQ and Global Water Watch for making this inaugural year of Swim Guide a huge success!