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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 8A THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9,1997
EVENTS • ENTERTAINMENT • ISSUES • MUSIC • ART
THE RIVER DEFILED
Story by Dan Thompson • Graphics by Andrew Robrback
Topeka treatment plant blamed for pollution in Kansas River
R river rafters in Lawrence might want to question whether it's the Kaw River, the Kansas River or the Crap River.
The Kansas River runs east for 170 miles and meanders through the Kaw Valley on its way to the Missouri River. Friends of the Kaw sponsored its third annual Kaw
River Fall Float last weekend. Eileen Larson, one of the event organizers, said the 67-canoe float trip raised thousands of dollars for the organization.
But canoeists and kayakers faced possible health problems because of the polluted water.
Environmental organizations, such as Kansas Sierra Club and Kansas Natural Resource Council, issued a health advisory to warn
The river is loaded with fecal coliform, a bacteria found in the intestines and feces of humans and other animals.
"The point source, which we believe to be the cause, is the Topeka Oakland water treatment plant," said Don Brown, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment.
people about the levels of fecal coliform bacteria.
Edie Sneeth, director of waste-water treatment, said that Oakland treated the water in a two-step process. The sewage is allowed to settle and is then given a biological treatment called activated sludge. The process degrades the waste.
"The levels are at values that can threaten people's health," said Terry Shistar, data analyst for the Kansas Sierra Club. She said it wasn't life threatening, but exposure could cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, ear infections and skin infections.
But a disinfection process is not administered. As a result, high levels of fecal coliform bacteria are left in the sewage.
"I don't know what the big deal is," Snethen said.
"We have it in our schedule."
The Topeka Oakland water treatment plant's permit was up for renewal in 1995. The plant is operating under the expired permit, which did not require sewage disinfection. Snetheen said the draft permit states that the plant will disinfect its sewage by the year 2000.
"We'll work within these time frames," Spetna said.
Terry Shistar data analyst, Kansas Sierra Club
Oakland has been working with KDHE on a new permit for the last two years. It is unclear when the permit will be completed.
Under the regulations in the Water Quality Standards of the Kansas Register, the Kansas River is designated as a contact recreation waterway.
"A contact river means immersion," said Charles Benjamin, legislative coordinator for the Sierra Club and Kansas Natural Resource Council. "A noncontact river is sitting in a canoe on the water."
KDHE did not issue a health warning because the amount of fecal coliform has not exceeded regular readings.
"What we had seen was a traditional background level," Brown said.
Measurements in Willard, about 15 miles upstream from Topeka, were near or above levels that permitted residents to come in contact with the river from July through January of last year.
Out traditional background levels break state regulations. The register says concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria cannot exceed a geometric mean of 200 organisms per 100 milliliters from April 1 through October 31.
In Lecompton, about 15 miles downstream from Topeka, fecal coliform never has reached a level safe enough for residents to get in the water. During the summer months, fecal coliform levels prevent any contact with the river.
“It’s a guideline more than a regulation.” Brown said. “It’s meant to apply toward specific incidents.”
Where the trouble is
WILLARD
TOPEKA
LECOMPTON
Fecal coliform bacteria levels in the Kansas River take a drastic jump downstream from Topeka. Shown above are concentration levels measured in terms of organisms per 100 milliliters of water. A hundred milliliters is slightly more than a quart. The third graph, showing the levels at Lecompton, is on a scale 1/20 that of the other two graphs.
The threshold for noncontact recreation is 2000 organisms per 100 milliliters. Above this level, noncontact recreation is deemed unsafe. Noncontact recreation includes boating and waterskiing. Contact recreation, including skin diving and swimming, is unsafe at levels above 200 organisms per 100 milliliters.