Re: Contamination Prompts Ky. Cave Shutdown

George wrote:
"Jo Schaper" <jospamnotschaper34@5socket78dot9net> wrote in message news:12ks7urrjrjf2b0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
First of all they need to determine the strain of E. coli...not all of them are noxious, and this may be a bit of politic overreaction in response to the spinach scare of last month.

Not really. The list of contaminants in the drinking water regulations specifies total coliform (which includes fecal coliform and e.coli). The total coliform test is used to indicate whether potentially harmful bacteria may be present. The National Park Service at Mammoth Cave is very sensitive to pollutants reaching the caves for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people visit them every year.

True but the tourists aren't drinking the cave water, which was my point. I've been in Echo River when it had a scum of creosote on it (literally), and in other cave water much much more polluted than Mammoth Cave. (Runoff from feedlots, for example, and in waters where others (not me) have seen TP and actual fecal matter floating downstream. Now, that's not my favorite variety of caving, but human skin is pretty tough stuff...as long as you aren't drinking the water or have open cuts, you're likely not at high risk. Was in one such cave just last week...


I'm curious how this is considered a health hazard, since to my knowledge, no one is drinking untreated Mammoth Cave water, especially along the trail. I suppose it is spray from the waterfall.

It probably would scare the tourists to know the E. coli results for the Green River, too. Surface water in ag country is always high, and in karst country it is all surface water (even the stuff underground.)

There is an ongoing research program within and outside the park to find ways to minimize agricultural and other potentially polluted run-off from entering the karst system, particularly from cattle and dairy farms. In this particular case, run-off from parking areas within the park itself may be a suspected source. Sadly, too many people with campers simply dump their effluent right on the ground if they can get away with it, and I suspect that may be the source of these contaminants.

George

Don't know about Mammoth, but I know of a park where they just improved the campground. Installed electric and water at every site, but no sewer. Some people complained because of the possible effects on the groundwater, and lost their jobs over it. I'm not sure you can blame the campers (esp. stupid city people) if the parks aren't designed well.

I wonder if MCNP is also going to announce the results of their coliform counts as in what is causing the problem. They may be doing everything as well as they can, but still don't see why they would shut down the cave because cave water isn't the cleanest. Is there also an odor problem?

It's the outdoors, people (even if it underground). The outdoors is *dirty*. I've dealt with enough city people irate because no one chlorinated the the local river, and who demanded a refund because the park had bugs to realize, as the bumpersticker says, "If it's Tourist Season, why Can't We Shoot Them?" I'm not saying MCNP should be unconcerned, but on the other hand, closing that tour still sounds like an overreaction to me.
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