Water Quality Update
Tested 5/30/18; Posted 6/1/18:
RESULTS: When we have current results you'll see one of two symbols.
About SWIM GUIDE: Pearl Riverkeeper volunteers, using EPA-approved protocols developed by Alabama Water Watch, will be conducting weekly E. coli water testing at Natchez Trace Overlook, Old Trace Park, Lakeshore Park and Pelahatchie Bay Fishing Pier. Weekly sampling begins in June and ends Labor Day weekend. Each location will be sampled for E. coli, total coliform and temperature and the results will be posted on Friday afternoons. Pearl Riverkeeper uses the 2012 Beach Action Value (BAV) recommended by the EPA (235 E.coli/100 mL). A recreation site is marked Green when single-sample results (average of 3 triplicate cultures) are under 235 E.coli/100 mL water. A beach is marked Red when the results are equal to or above 235 E.coli/100 mL water. A beach is marked Grey when there are no current results or there is no available information. Note: The 2012 Beach Action Value (BAV) recommended by the EPA (235 E.coli/100 mL) is based on an estimated illness rate of 36 individuals per 1,000. At this level it is estimated that approximately 4% (36/1000) of healthy adult swimmers will contract a waterborne illness. These rates may be higher for children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.
- Green = Passed. Most recent test results met water quality standards for E.coli.
- Red = Failed. Recent test results indicate higher E.coli levels than what is considered safe for swimming.
- Grey = No current data. Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable.
- Green = the site has passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more.
- Yellow = Beach has passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
- Red = the site has failed water quality tests 40% or more of the time.
About SWIM GUIDE: Pearl Riverkeeper volunteers, using EPA-approved protocols developed by Alabama Water Watch, will be conducting weekly E. coli water testing at Natchez Trace Overlook, Old Trace Park, Lakeshore Park and Pelahatchie Bay Fishing Pier. Weekly sampling begins in June and ends Labor Day weekend. Each location will be sampled for E. coli, total coliform and temperature and the results will be posted on Friday afternoons. Pearl Riverkeeper uses the 2012 Beach Action Value (BAV) recommended by the EPA (235 E.coli/100 mL). A recreation site is marked Green when single-sample results (average of 3 triplicate cultures) are under 235 E.coli/100 mL water. A beach is marked Red when the results are equal to or above 235 E.coli/100 mL water. A beach is marked Grey when there are no current results or there is no available information. Note: The 2012 Beach Action Value (BAV) recommended by the EPA (235 E.coli/100 mL) is based on an estimated illness rate of 36 individuals per 1,000. At this level it is estimated that approximately 4% (36/1000) of healthy adult swimmers will contract a waterborne illness. These rates may be higher for children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.
***Heavy rains may impact water quality. Please use caution immediately after rainstorms as sewer overflows, failing septic and stormwater runoff can contain high levels of bacteria. These tests do not indicate the presence of Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria that naturally occurs in water. Our "safe" level refers to the level of E.coli, a bacteria that indicates fecal contamination. Please be advised that other threats may exist and avoid entering the water with open wounds. Swim at your own risk.
Results (Test date Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Data posted Friday, June 1, 2018):
Site Name |
E. coli (cfu/100mL) |
Water Temp |
Recent Precipitation |
Natchez Trace Overlook |
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Old Trace Park |
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Lakeshore Park |
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Pelahatchie Bay Fishing Pier |
Disclaimer: The information contained on this website and the Swim Guide website is for informational purposes only. All sites monitored are natural waterbodies and contaminants are present from a wide variety of sources. Local conditions fluctuate, sometimes rapidly, especially after rainfall events. The results displayed above are only representative of the exact time, date and location at which the sample was taken and do not represent the water quality between sampling events or at other locations nearby on the river. Users of this data should not assume that a “low” E. coli level means that it is necessarily safe or risk-free to make contact with the water. E. coli is not the only contaminant of concern for recreational users, and is used merely as an indicator of potential fecal contamination. Pearl Riverkeeper., their employees, and agents can provide no guaranty of water safety and, as such, the user assumes all risks associated with the use of this data and swimming in the Pearl River Basin. SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!
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