TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – On Friday afternoon, people were out at Swan Creek Metropark, enjoying the day.
“Yeah we come out here a lot, always to this side or to the other side, and they play, we run around, play football, basketball, and just walk around,” said Adrian Figgs.
Figgs was surprised to learn that there was concern about the levels of E. coli in Swan Creek.
On Thursday, city leaders said there were
high levels of E. coli
found in Swan Creek and Delaware Creek due to sewer overflows.
On Friday, a City of Toledo spokesperson told 13 Action News
test results showed
there were 50 times the safe amount of E. coli detected in Swan Creek, and 2,000 times the safe amount of E. coli detected in Delaware Creek.
Other park-goers said they wanted to see notices posted around the creeks to notify people.
“I was surprised and I was taken aback by the fact there’s no signs about it,” said Sharay Lamb, who was at the park with her children.
When the weather is warmer, Lamb said she’s seen people in and around the creek.
“There’s a lot of families that like to bring their children to play in the water,” Lamb said, describing what she’s seen during previous visits to Swan Creek Metropark. “They actually fish in the creek as well.”
This leaves her concerned about how the E. coli levels will impact people who haven’t seen any warnings.
The City of Toledo held a
press conference
about the issue, and the Toledo Lucas County Health Department issued
public health advisories
for Swan Creek and Delaware Creek.
A spokesperson for Metroparks Toledo said contamination is downstream of Swan Creek Preserve Metropark and that swimming and wading in the water is prohibited. The spokesperson added that no health or regulatory authority called for posting signs at this point, but it is a developing situation and the signage issue may change with more information or advice from appropriate authorities.
According to the Toledo Lucas County Health Department, many strains of E. Coli are harmless. Some strains can cause issues like diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, nausea and vomiting, low level fevers, and fatigue.
People are asked to stay out of the creek, keep children and pets away, and wash their hands.
The Ohio EPA said the high E. Coli levels were caused by sewer overflows that started May 5. An overflow near Arlington Avenue and South Westwood Avenue seeped into Swan Creek.
Some residents told 13 Action News they previously smelled a foul odor in that area.
As the situation develops, residents said they want the city to take action.
“They got to clean it up, I mean they don’t really have a choice,” Josh Calderone said.
They also want their questions to be answered.
“How long would it take before the contamination levels goes down and what are the steps taken or the process to reduce the amount of E. coli?” Lamb asked.
On Friday, a City of Toledo spokesperson gave an update about the sewer overflow on Arlington Avenue. The spokesperson said city crews installed a pump and the overflows have stopped.
In the coming weeks they are installing a bigger pump that can help if there are heavier overflows.
The Ohio EPA has given the City of Toledo a deadline of
June 10 to create a plan
to address the high levels of E. coli.
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