Rials Creek

Green Advisory using the Beach Action Value scale. Two water samples were tested.

BAV=Green Water levels very low. Tested on a hot dry day.

Green Advisory Congratulations!!! Thanks for keeping our rivers and streams clean and safe for recreational use.

GREEN Low gauge and no rain for past week.

Water testing at Merit Falls on Rials Creek resumed in June, 2020 following a three month absence. Today’s water tests showed 266 e coli colonies per 100 ml of water. Thus, Merit Falls is considered red/or unsafe under EPA Beach Action guidelines for recreational swimming. Some possible sources of fecal contamination include; agricultural runoff, wildlife that use the water as their natural habitat, runoff from areas contaminated with pet manure, wastewater treatment plants, and on-site septic systems. Heavy precipitation may cause these organisms to be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes or ground water. Consumption of or contact with water contaminated with feces of warm-blooded animals can cause a variety of illnesses.

This testing was done ten days after the 2020 winter flood of the Pearl River. North, central and south Mississippi were impacted by heavy rainfall that saw many streams topping their banks. Merit Water Park on Rials Creek sustained little to no lasting effects of the record setting flood. Today’s water test showed 33.33 e coli per 100 ml. The lower the number of e coli present, the lower the probability of disease-causing microorganisms. Thus, Merit Falls is considered green/or safe under EPA guidelines for recreational activities such as swimming.

Today's test results show an extremely high level of e coli, i.e. 5333 per 100 ml. In comparison, concentration levels below 200 are considered relatively safe for human contact. Some possible sources of fecal contamination include; agricultural runoff, wildlife that use the water as their natural habitat, runoff from areas contaminated with pet manure, wastewater treatment plants, and on-site septic systems. Heavy precipitation may cause these organisms to be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or ground water. Consumption of or contact with water contaminated with feces of warm-blooded animals can cause a variety of illnesses.

Three replicate samples were tested; there was no ecoli present.

Merit Water Park is located on Rials Creek, a tributary of the Strong River in Simpson County, MS.

Water levels were high due to recent rainfall. Both Merit and D'Lo water parks were closed to the public.