Highland Glen Reservoir is currently under a warning advisory for high levels of E. coli. The level of E. coli tested in the water has varied for over a month, though remains at a level where the Utah Department of Environment Quality advises residents against swimming in the water.

Skin contact with the water is not dangerous, but they advise washing hands with soap and clean water after contact with the reservoir water to avoid contaminating food. Fishing in the reservoir is safe as long as fish are washed in clean water and the skin and guts are deposited. Boating is also safe, again, as long as the water is not ingested.

The first testing of the season occurred on May 26, showing levels above the Utah Department of Health Recreational thresholds for E. coli, suggesting harmful bacteria or viruses in the water. There have not been two consecutive weeks of E. coli levels testing below the threshold in the last month.

“You just don’t want to get any of that water in your body. So anything that could lead to you accidentally swallowing some water is what we’re recommending people avoid,” said Hannah Bonner, DEQ recreational health advisory program coordinator. She said to be aware of children and dogs who may have difficulty avoiding drinking the water.

Testing for E. coli is used to indicate the presence of fecal contamination in the water, which is what leads to harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites in the water. Highland Glen Reservoir is highly susceptible to E. coli contamination because of its location in the middle of an urban area, Bonner said. She explained fecal contamination can be caused by animals, leaky sewage or septic systems and runoff from rain or snow.

Although no official investigation has been conducted to locate the source of the contamination in Highland Glen Reservoir, Bonner said they hypothesize that, due to the area, runoff is the highest source.

“Highland Glen pond in particular, can receive a lot of runoff from big rain events, or lots of snow melt and when lots of water is running over human surfaces, it is able to pick up contamination and pollutants and then deposit them in water bodies,” she said.

She explained the runoff and stormwater deposited into the reservoir could also be the reason the levels of E. coli fluctuate depending on the weather.

Regular testing of the bodies of water in Utah is conducted monthly, but tests are conducted weekly or bi-weekly when there is a concern, such as algal blooms or waterborne pathogens. If the level of E. coli is at or above 235 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (mL) of water, DEQ recommends a health advisory be put in place.

Over the reported testing period, from May 26 to last Tuesday, the levels of E. coli have fluctuated above and below this level, but have consistently gone back to above the threshold. Over this time, the E. coli levels have ranged from 43 MPN to 1553 MPN with the most recent test continuing the advisory with the highest sample being 345 MPN. The first test, conducted on May 24, showed 1046 MPN.

Humans can help lower the levels of E. coli in the water by taking precautions when they go outside to ensure it does not get deposited into reservoirs and other bodies of water. Leaf litter and grass clippings can also pollute bodies of water.

“Whatever we leave or put out into the world oftentimes ends up in our water bodies,” Bonner said. “If your dog is pooping, make sure you’re picking that up and depositing that in a trash can, that can be a big help. And then just keep your gutters and storm drains clean.”

Erin Wells, Highland’s city administrator, said city leaders were surprised that the E. coli contamination was so early in the season, because in past years it has occurred near the end of the season.

She explained that, over the past few years, the city has worked on mitigation and prevention efforts to stop the contamination of E. coli in Highland Glen. Some of these efforts include installing bubblers in the pond, which introduces oxygen into the water to kill the E. coli, ensuring water is flowing.

This year Highland has continued previous efforts and are working with an engineering company who dealt with a similar situation in Idaho.

“What has always worked in the past is add more water, and that’s not working here. So we’re hoping for some additional ideas and insights that will actually clear up the problem,” Wells said. “Our council asked us to look for long term prevention options because this is a very popular destination and we want residents and visitors to feel comfortable using it and certainly to not get sick from using it.”

Payson Lakes health watch

At McClellan Lake, part of Payson Lakes, a health watch for harmful algae is in place. Unlike a typical algal bloom, where algae containing toxins can be found on the top of the water, DEQ found harmful benthic mats on the shoreline of McClellan Lake. This mat-like type of algae is still toxic, but the water away from the mats is safe to swim in.

Instead of a typical harmful algal bloom, Bonner said the benthic material is washing up on the shore. “The main risk of exposure there is that toxins just get really concentrated in that mat-like material. Children and dogs are particularly at risk. If a kid or a pet were to accidentally ingest or eat some of that mat-like material, they could be exposed to really high levels of toxin,” she said.

The mats of algae are also located on the floor of the body of water, so Bonner explained that swimmers, boaters and fishers are safe as long as they avoid the mats. Warning signs and pictures showing Benthic mats are posted around the lake.

Big East Lake or Box Lake have been tested and show no visible signs of harmful algal bloom.

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