Merit Water Park : Rials Creek

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.