MAYOR GIVES PROGRESS REPORT After being asked by Councilmember Quinn, Mayor Kant gave a progress report on determining the sources for the frequent high bacteria counts in bay waters.
The Mayor said Water Superintendent Dan McCrory had been conducting testing and found bacteria counts were very high in the duck pond -- but "what we're not sure is . . . whether its from wildlife or human."
BP OIL RECOVERY GRANT MAY BE USED
Kant said some of the BP oil-spill-related grant money may be a source of funding to enlarge the retention pond there.
Kant: "As soon as we get evidence . . . where the high levels come from . . . we'll be able to attack them." He reported high levels found around the boats docked in Fly Creek (some dump raw sewage) and levels got worse farther up both Fly and Rock Creeks.
There are several large farms in that area as well as the Auburn agricultural station.
GULLIES TO BE TESTED TOO
Kant promised water in the city's various drainage gullies would also be tested for sewage overflows, after the next rains.
EPA CITES POSSIBLE SOURCES
A 2007 EPA report cited possible sources for Fairhope's beach pollution as (no particular order):
- municipal sewage treatment system
- boats dumping sewage
- wildlife (geese, ducks, birds)
- farm/agricultural activity (fertilizers, livestock)
Comments
Its not human.