A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER-QUALITY PROBLEMS OF STONELICK-LAKE-STATE-PARK, OHIO

Fecal coliform bacteria present in lake bathing waters pose a health problem to exposed individuals. Stonelick Lake State Park, located in Clermont County, Ohio, experienced high levels of fecal coliform bacteria in its bathing waters during the summer of 1990. An advisory was posted when the fecal coliform bacteria levels reached a geometric mean greater than 200 colonies per 100 milliliters. Stonelick Lake was impounded in the early 1950s. Sources of fecal coliform pollution in the 14,242-acre watershed include malfunctioning on-site sewage systems, livestock operations and the park's wastewater lagoon. The Clermont County General Health District initiated weekly sampling of the lake and its tributaries. Regression analyses showed correlations between the bathing water and inflow from two major tributaries (r=. 72) and between the bathing water and the park's wastewater lagoon (r=.80). Recommendations to abate the pollution include repair of the park's wastewater lagoon and malfunctioning on-site septic systems, and better management of livestock waste and soil erosion.