[Press Release] : Press Release

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2005

CONTACT: Tammy Miller
Parks and Recreation Department
(573) 874-7465
or
Heather Baer
Columbia/Boone County Health Department
(573) 874-7632

Water safety and quality in public swimming pools and
lakes		
							
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - As the heat of summer continues, many people
look to the many public pools and lakes that are open in Columbia as a
source of great fun and exercise. The water facilities are maintained by
the city of Columbia through the Parks and Recreation Department and
water quality is monitored by the Columbia/Boone County Health
Department.  
	Natural bodies of water, including Twin Lakes and Stephens Lake
are tested each week for levels of Fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria.
Recent testing has proved that Columbia's lakes are within acceptable
standards. If a level is found to exceed Environmental Protection Agency
standards, the lake is monitored closely by retesting. Lakes are natural
bodies of water which naturally contain some bacteria. Some of this 
bacteria is a result of the animals which inhabit the lake and
surrounding area. Rainfall may also wash contaminants into the lake but
after a day or so, water quality usually returns to normal. 
	Public pools are treated with chemicals to keep them clean and
safe, however, 
there is always a risk of coming into contact with some form of
bacteria when swimming in a public lake or pool. The following
precautions should be taken by residents when they visit a public lake
or pool in order to decrease their chance of becoming ill from any
bacteria which may be in the water. 
	*	Shower before entering the water. This helps to decrease
the amount of bacteria you may bring into the pool or lake.
	*	Wear shoes with treaded soles (or aqua socks) when
walking around the water area. This can prevent falls in slippery
conditions and decrease the chance of being cut by any foreign objects
on the ground.
	*	Always wash your hands using chlorinated water and soap
after swimming.  Do not eat or put your hands in your mouth until your
hands have been washed.
	*	Shower or bathe as soon as possible after swimming. 
	*	Children must be supervised by an adult and those who
are not toilet trained need to wear swim diapers.
	*	Do not drink pool or lake water.
	*	Do not swim in a public facility if you have an open cut
or wound. Any bacteria in the water may lead to an infection.
	The Parks and Recreation Department continues to strive for the
safest and healthiest environment in its public pool and lake
facilities, by working with the Health Department.  
	"Our first priority is ensuring the safety of everyone who
uses park and lake facilities," said Parks and Recreation Director
Mike Hood. "We will continue to work with the Health Department and
will continue to test on a weekly basis and monitor those results to
make sure the water is safe."
	For more information on services provided by the Columbia/Boone
County Health Department or the Parks and Recreation Department, go to
www.Gocolumbiamo.com.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php