KDHE Home - News 2000 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795
Eightmile Creek Health Advisory Remains in Effect
The public health advisory issued for Eightmile Creek in Butler County on September 22 remains in effect. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) continues to recommend that people avoid swimming, wading, boating, fishing and other activities involving bodily contact with water in the creek until further notice. The advisory extends from the Rose Hill bridge to the creek's confluence with the Walnut River.
The department also still recommends that pet and livestock owners prevent their animals from entering or drinking from the creek.
The advisory was issued due to the presence of a potentially toxic form of algae. KDHE and the City of Rose Hill are working together to improve the quality of the discharge entering Eightmile Creek from the municipal wastewater stabilization lagoons. The discharge, which has remained within permit limits throughout, has nevertheless been identified as a contributing factor to the problem.
Limited rainfall and minimal stream flow have also played a significant part in keeping the advisory in effect. Continued heavy rains would likely purge the stream of accumulated contaminants and allow for the advisory to be lifted. The concentration of algae is expected to decrease as the weather becomes colder.
KDHE continues to monitor and collect water samples from the creek. The department will announce the lifting of the advisory when analysis of the samples indicates that water quality has returned to safe levels. Anyone who has questions or concerns about Eightmile creek should contact the KDHE South Central District Office in Wichita at (316) 337-6020.
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