State tests for E. coli on stretch of Saline

LITTLE ROCK — Test results from samples taken Monday to determine the level of E. coli in a portion of the Saline River won’t be ready until Wednesday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

In the meantime, Health Department officials plan to search the area around the river near the Arkansas 5 bridge today for a potential source of the illness-causing bacteria, spokesman Ed Barham said.

“E. coli and other contaminates could come from any number of sources,” Barham said, “from heavy industrial sources, cattle or other livestock, houses or barns, fields nearby.”

At any given time in the summer, Barham said “a handful” of the state’s 146 public swimming beaches could be closed temporarily because of unsafe levels of E. coli or other bacteria found during routine testing.

The swimming beach at Beaver Fork Lake just north of Conway, for example, has been closed since Memorial Day. Health Department officials blamed the problem there on a failed septic system nearby, which has since been fixed.

Though the portion of the Saline River under investigation isn’t a designated public swimming beach, the Health Department issued warnings after four people reported severe cases of diarrhea.

“It’s important for people to know there are risks associated with being in the water,” Barham said. However, that advice is not meant to discourage people from swimming in the state’s rivers, lakes and streams, he said.

Dr. James Phillips, head of the Health Department’s infectious disease branch, said people can take simple precautions such as swimming only in rivers, lakes and streams that have moving water. Stale, stagnant water is ideal for bacteria growth, Phillips said.

He also suggested not swimming in water that has livestock nearby.

In addition, people should merely be mindful of swallowing water that has not been purified and should make sure that their children do the same, Barham said.

State officials who promote outdoor activities in Arkansas said Monday that people should heed warnings issued by doctors and the Health Department.

However, State Parks Director Greg Butts said he doesn’t want to deter people from enjoying all that the Natural State has to offer.

“If we know about it, the beaches are going to be closed,” Butts said. “Obviously, we’re always going to be concerned about the health of our guests, but as far as putting out a blanket notice that you might come [down] with some bug, we’re not going to do that.”