LITTLE ROCK — A natural spring in Little Rock tested positive for E. coli bacteria recently, and health officials are advising the public not to drink from it.
The Arkansas Department of Health took a sample July 31 from the spring at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and 30th Street beside the Martin Luther King Heritage Center. The test was performed after a request to do so was made to the department's environmental health branch. Test results on Aug. 4 came back showing E. coli (Escherichia coli) present in the spring. The advisory was issued Friday.
Health Department spokesman Ed Barham said E. coli is naturally occurring bacteria, but "there is no safe level of E. coli."
Barham said that E. coli usually turns up in water after it rains when the soil washes into the water source.
Terry Paul, chief of the environmental health branch, said the spring has posed problems several times over the last few years and samples collected from it routinely show the presence of bacteria.
"All water that comes from springs will regularly show signs of bacteria," Barham said.
The most recent records of test results at the spring, taken in 2006, varied. In some cases, it tested positive for bacteria; inothers, it did not.
"The water coming from this spring or any other untreated water source could potentially result in water borne illnesses," Paul said. "The water from this spring is not treated in any way that would make it suitable for human consumption."
To be safe, people should use a chlorine tablet or boil water before they use untreated water, Barham said.
People concerned about the safety of water in their area should contact the Arkansas Department of Health at (501) 661-2000 to speak to an environmental health specialist or to request a test on questionable water sources, according to a release from the department.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 08/22/2009