State looking to clean up fecal bacteria in river
Monday, October 17, 2011
COLFAX, Wash. (AP) -- The state has released details about its plan to clean up fecal coliform bacteria in the South Fork Palouse River.
The bacteria come from the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. High amounts of it can be a sign that sewage is entering the stream.
The state Department of Ecology says its cleanup plan will focus on areas where children might play in the streams. Efforts will primarily address fecal coliform from storm water, from animals and from failing septic systems.
Among proposed changes, the city of Colfax will find ways to discourage pigeons from roosting under the city's bridges, which is a large contributor of bacteria.
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