Mayor Kant told the city council he intends to enlist the aid of a professor at Auburn University to help identify the sources of the bacteria that causes the frequent closing of Fairhope area beach waters following heavy rains.
Kant: "I met with a professor . . . going to get back with him next week . . . to do DNA tracking . . . to find sources."
Kant said he should have more information at the next council meeting.
Runoff into Fly and Rock Creek is thought to be a prime source; and DNA testing could help determine whether the origins are human or animal.
More detailed testing may be able narrow it down further -- to species.
(Faulty septic tanks, farm animal/fertilizer runoff, wildlife, boat discharges, and defects at the city's sewage treatment plant have all been mentioned as possible sources.)
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