(REPRINTED FROM WRIC- ABC CHANNEL 8)
“Dangerous levels of E.coli are lurking in the water at a popular getaway spot.
Volunteers found the bacteria at 14 locations along Lake Anna.
Doug Smith, president of the Lake Anna Civic Association, said recent water tests revealed the highest level of E.coli in the past 20 years.
“The results came back and we were a bit alarmed at the results this year,” Smith said.
These test results didn’t stop people from enjoying a warm day on the lake.
Victoria Ngo, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia, visited Lake Anna for the first time Tuesday.
“My friends and I decided to come down for a relaxing day, celebrate us graduating,” Ngo said.
The unwelcome bacteria has some visitors feeling uncomfortable.
Smith said rain causes agriculture and natural sources, such as fecal matter to run off into the lake.
“Folks need to be careful about where they choose to do their recreation at the lake,” Smith said.
Experts said visitors should not drink the water.
E.coli bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea.
So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Below are E.Coli test results from 2018, 2017, and 2016.
Areas of red indicate where most of the bacteria were discovered. “
