News Release 317

DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIES WATER SYSTEMS THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Volume 36-317	Contact: Renee Bungart
(For immediate release)	573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 29, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of 26 drinking water systems that have chronically failed to conduct required bacteriological testing.

The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.

The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule, as this current list of 26 systems represents less than 1 percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.

Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has a record of both failing to monitor and a history of exceeding contaminant levels, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water.

If a water sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria, which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform, test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform-positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli, unless specifically stated otherwise.

To view more details on the violators listed, visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/index.html.

County -- Public Drinking Water System

Barry -- Country Diner, Fuel Express
Benton -- Sun Valley Subdivision
Camden -- Bambooze, Deepwater Inn, Donna's Ice House, Possum Holler
Cole -- Lohman's Eagle Stop
Franklin -- Charmwood Subdivision, Delta Motel
Greene -- Dalmas Feed Bunk Café
Jasper -- Royal Oaks Arena
Lawrence -- Route 66 Tavern, Youngberg Estates Mobile Home Park
Maries -- Moreland's Restaurant and Lounge
Miller -- Sunset Mobile Home Park
Morgan -- Three Pigs Bar B Q and Grill
Pulaski -- The Point Steakhouse
St. Clair -- Old Plantation Motel
Stone -- Cape Fair Mobile Home Park, Show Me Shores, Starlight Village, Starrlite Village 4th Addition
Taney -- Parkview Lodge
Washington -- L & M Mobile Home Park
Webster -- Tiny's Steak Ranch

These systems' owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, the department pursues more stringent enforcement action through legal channels.

For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-751-8309.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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