Weekly E. coli testing at Lake Newport shows mixed results

YOUNGSTOWN

This week’s sampling of Lake Newport and Mill Creek for E. coli bacteria again yielded mixed results, according to results released today by the Mahoning County District Board of Health.

Samples drawn near the Lake Newport boathouse on West Newport Drive and the Lake Newport boat launch showed low counts of E. coli, while samples drawn near a footbridge over Mill Creek just north of Shields Road showed the highest levels that so far have been recorded over the last five weeks.

“The testing of Lake Newport is in its fifth week of sampling with seven more weeks to continue. The data will be examined for any correlations as more information is collected over the entire 12 weeks,” said Ryan Tekac, environmental health director for the county health board, in a release.

“The bridge samples that are located in the shallow headwaters, which receive less sunlight due to overhead vegetation, were significantly higher than the samples drawn at the other two locations on the lake. Temperatures have been cooler with an increase in rain since the previous week’s sampling,” Tekac said.

The county health board initiated the 12-week testing program after earlier testing found elevated E. coli levels in Lake Newport. The lake, and all other Mill Creek MetroParks’ bodies of water, have been closed since July 10.