In 2017, with the help of 40 volunteer stream monitors, we, the Izaak Walton League (Ikes) collected 500 water samples from 83 sites across the Cedar River Watershed as part of our Upper Mississippi River Initiative. Seventy percent of samples collected indicated the presence of E.coli bacteria in concentrations that exceed human health standards for body contact, where “body contact” is defined as boating, swimming, wading and other such recreational activities in which an individual comes in contact with water.

E.coli bacteria in and of itself is positively correlated with fecal contamination which gives rise to the presence of harmful, disease-causing pathogens. Limited DNA testing revealed at least three source of fecal contamination in the Cedar River Watershed district: swine, cattle and humans. Leading causes of fecal contamination may be attributed to livestock, concentrated feeding operations and local land practices, such as using manure as fertilizer. In addition to this, human DNA was found in all seven of the genetic samples, which can be directly attributed to failing septic systems in the area.

What’s more, is that during weather events such as rainfall and snowmelt, E.coli may be washed into lakes, streams and rivers from the land’s surface. After major rain storms we consistently found extremely high E.coli readings on most streams and tributaries within the Cedar River Watershed in amounts exceeding the human health standard for body contact by 5 times, 10 times and even 20 times in some areas.

Due to the relationship between compromised water quality and the serious health effects imposed on those who come into contact with contaminated water through recreational activities, we are concerned about the health of children and adults who enjoy our streams, rivers and lakes. We request an urgent effort by all members of our community to address this issue and other related sources of water pollution.

Additionally, we absolutely no reason to believe that our results are not reflective of the conditions of the other streams and rivers of our county and region, suggesting that the issue of water contamination extends beyond the Cedar River Watershed.

With such substantial threats to local water quality, and consequently human health and livelihood, we request that Mower County immediately notify the estimated 1,700 with questionable sewage disposal across the county, that they will be required to verify that their septic systems are up to current standards, and if not, encourage said homeowners to upgrade for the good of the community.

With the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and East Side Lake’s water recreation areas being high traffic areas for our children, we urgently request that all homes, not up to standard, along both north and south Dobbins Creek be required to upgrade their septic systems by Dec. 31, 2018. Knowing that upgrading protects us all, we are in support of public assistance for lower income individuals to comply with the necessary upgrade. Following this effort, we request that all homes throughout the county be required to be in compliance by Dec. 31, 2020.

Improving water quality is a shared responsibility. If cooperation efforts to improve water quality in the Cedar River Watershed are not taken, water quality will continue to be degraded, and the health of those using our waters, including our children, will suffer.

Mark Owens

President, Austin Chapter 10 Izaak Walton League