Oconee River Bacteria Levels High

Scientists are urging officials from the State Environmental Protection Division to return to the Oconee River in Dublin and sample the water again.
A year ago scientists from the EPD took samples from the river. They came to Laurens County after sportsmen reported seeing bloody fish and deformed birds. They also noted the disappearance of the once plentiful mussel.
After extensive testing the EPD determined problems with the fish stemmed from drought, spawning, and bacteria. They said there was no danger to public health.
But, Kim Tyler with the Altamaha Riverkeeper has been collecting samples for the last several months and she disagrees. Her tests, analyzed at mercer university, show bacteria levels up to 40 times higher than similar sections of the Ocmulgee River in Middle Georgia.
(photos courtesy of Altamaha Riverkeeper)

"I'm really concerned for boaters and people that want to fish in the water. Especially young children that have low immune systems, anyone that has sores, splashing in the water and eyes, getting it in their eyes and their ears and their nose. That to me in my opinion is dangerous and should be avoided."



Tyler says they sent a letter to the EPD reporting their findings. They've asked them to come back and locate the source of the contamination. For now Tyler says she won't be fishing in that part of the Oconee River.