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Clevenger’s
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(humans, cattle, wildlife such as deer, geese, beavers). EPA states fecal coliform generally does not pose a danger to people or animals, but indicates the presence of other diseasecausing bacteria, such as those that cause typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis A, and cholera.
Much fecal coliform comes from leaking septic systems and access of farm animals to rivers and streams. In the survey, participants having fecal coliform were advised to improve well conditions and pursue retesting. In a limited pesticide analysis, the vast majority of the samples passed EPA standards.
It should be noted that the county health department must approve the quality of water when wells are initially drilled, but after that the property owner is in control. The above levels of fecal coliform indicate certain site-specific levels of groundwater contamination. If the percentages make you uneasy, have your well water tested. You might have to anyway if you plan to sell your property.
Surface water in the county (creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands) acts to cleanse water pollutants. This is done by diluting the pollutants and allowing heavy contaminants to settle to the bottom to be acted upon by the interaction of the biology of microorganisms and the chemistry of organic components and minerals.
CRE program
Some county farmers are participating in Virginia’s $91 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). This one-time, first-come, firstserved program pays farmers to establish riparian forest buffers along streams and wetlands, stabilize stream banks, and improve wildlife habitant, thus adding to the vegetation element of natural cleansing.
A review of man-made efforts to mitigate water pollution by regulation in the county is beyond the scope of this article. One could cover at length
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