MARSHALL -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has placed the lower section of the Pomme de Terre River on the state's impaired waters list.
Water quality monitoring has shown that the stretch of the river from Muddy Creek to Marsh Lake is impaired due to fecal bacteria. The water quality standard or maximum for fecal coliform bacteria is an average of 200 colony forming units per 100 milliliters. Tests showed up to 4,000 CFU following several rain events.
The information is contained in the recently completed Total Maximum Daily Load study on the river. A public comment period began Aug. 20 and continues through Sept. 20 on the report, which addresses water pollution in the lower portions of the Pomme de Terre River.
Fecal coliform bacteria can affect human health and limit recreational use of the water. Sources of bacteria include failing septic systems, unsewered communities, wildlife, and storm water runoff from livestock feedlots and manure applied to cropland.
A public information meeting on the project was held on May 10 in Morris. After receiving public comment, the MPCA will review the Pomme de Terre report and submit it to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.
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It will lead to a plan to reduce fecal coliform bacteria pollution in the river.
The report can be viewed on the web at www.pca.state.mn/us/water/tmdl/index.html . For more information, call the MPCA at 800-657-3864.
