News Headlines

Raising Lincoln Creek Quality Could Be Costly

A new study says it could take up to 40 years and $57 million to raise the water quality in a creek that runs through the center of the state capital.

Posted: 11:39 AM Jun 9, 2012
Reporter: The Associated Press

A new study says it could take up to 40 years and $57 million to raise the water quality in a creek that runs through the center of the state capital.

The rough estimates are contained in a study of a six-mile portion of the Antelope Creek watershed. The creek is polluted with E. coli bacteria, which local officials have long known.

Experts who worked on the study say the E. coli comes mainly from waste droppings of urban wildlife such as pigeons, raccoons and pets.

Strategies for cutting the contamination include installing grass swales and rain gardens.

Health authorities say some strains of E. coli can cause diarrhea and others can cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia.