ADEQ Advises Eastern Arizona Residents Not to Swim in Gila River

With people traveling throughout Arizona over the holiday weekend, ADEQ Director Steve Owens advised residents in Graham Co. & the San Carlos Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona to avoid swimming in the Gila River due to elevated levels of E. coli & Vibrio bacteria.

ADEQ, the Graham Co. Health Dept, Indian Health Services & the San Carlos Environmental Protection Agency last week obtained water samples from the Gila River below the Solomon Bridge to the Highway 70 crossing below Bylas. The samples were tested & found to have elevated levels of E. coli & Vibrio bacteria. Other portions of the Gila River may be affected, but have not yet been tested to determine if the levels are also elevated. Officials from the Graham Co. Dept of Public Health, The San Carlos Tribe, the ADEQ & the Arizona Dept of Health Services urge visitors to seek alternative recreational sites until further testing can be done.

The state surface water standard for E. coli is 235 CFU/mL. Sampling results from portions of the Gila River on the San Carlos Indian Reservation contained E. coli levels ranging from 1300-5800 CFU/mL.

"We urge people in Graham Co. & on the San Carlos Indian Reservation not to swim in the Gila River over the Labor Day weekend. Exposure to E. coli could result in serious illness," Director Owens said. "Further sampling & testing will be conducted on the Gila River to determine whether advisories will be lifted or modified to reflect current conditions."

E-Coli & Vibrio bacteria can cause diarrhea & wound infections. The risk is greatest for young children, the elderly, those with a compromised immune system & those with open cuts or wounds. Since there is an increased risk of getting sick, people should avoid swimming, wading, or water recreation where water could be swallowed or get into the mouth, nose or eyes.

For more info, contact the Graham County Health Department at 928-428-1962.