KANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Don Brown, 785-296-5795
State Issues Health Advisory for Portions of Franklin County Streams
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a public health advisory for Cole Creek and Eightmile Creek in northwestern Franklin County. This advisory also includes that portion of the Marais des Cygnes River extending from its confluence with Eightmile Creek, near Orlis Cox Field in the City of Ottawa, to the U.S. Highway 35 bridge, approximately one mile downstream of Ottawa.
This advisory stems from the release of livestock wastewater and solids from a dairy operation located approximately two miles west of Centropolis, Kansas. Tests conducted by KDHE have determined that concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria and other pollutants in Cole Creek exceed applicable water quality criteria. This advisory is being extended from Cole Creek to the downstream waters of Eightmile Creek and the Marais des Cygnes River as an additional precautionary measure. The advisory does not affect the drinking water supply for the city of Ottawa.
The department strongly discourages swimming, wading, boating, fishing and other activities involving bodily contact with the waters of these streams, pending the collection of additional data and the return of the original water quality condition. KDHE will monitor concentrations of bacteria and other pollutants in these streams throughout the advisory period.
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