Surface water samples test positive for E. coli in Camp Fire area

Diana Langley, Public Works director for Yuba City, said Wednesday she consulted with an engineer at the local water board who said there’s no concerns that the contaminants will make their way into the Feather River, and that it’s isolated to the Camp Fire area.

Lab analysis of surface water samples found concentrations of E. coli bacteria, aluminum, antimony and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that exceeded water quality standards for drinking water, according to a state water board press release. 

Concentrations of iron exceeding secondary maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) were also detected in some samples. Secondary MCLs are aesthetic standards, meaning the public might notice changes in the taste, odor or color of the water.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in carbon containing substances such as coal, crude oil and gasoline. PAHs are also produced when wood, garbage and other carbon-based substances are burned. 

The state water board analyzed samples for 22 PAHs and of those, five were detected above applicable thresholds, according to the release.

These surface waters are not a source of drinking water for homes, with the exception of some shallow wells along Butte Creek where creek water may seep into the wells. Officials said homeowners with shallow wells along Butte Creek should review their well construction details and consider testing their well water.

Last week, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board conducted targeted sampling of surface waters at various locations throughout the Camp Fire burn area and downstream of the burn area, in coordination with Butte County, California Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Transportation.

Although testing found elevated samples of aluminum, antimony and iron, those metals are also naturally occurring. Further study will be required to determine what percentages are naturally occurring and what percentages are attributable to runoff from the burn area, according to the release.

Additional data is required to determine if the concentrations detected during the January sampling are representative of post-fire surface water quality in the burn area. 

Visit www.ButteCountyRecovers.org to download the private well safety and testing guidance or call the Butte County Environmental Health division at 552-3880 for more information. The public should direct any questions about the quality of their drinking water supplied by a public water system to their local water purveyor or the state water board at 224-4800.