Meeting federal and state standards for E. coli in surface water is very difficult. Sources of contamination need to be identified in order to devise a strategy. The U.S. Geological Survey plans to present their findings from a study of Fountain Creek next week, according to a report from Chris Woodka writing for The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
The U.S. Geological Survey will host a meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, 14 S. Chestnut St., Colorado Springs. The study, begun in 2007, focuses on a 12-mile segment of Upper Fountain Creek, from Green Mountain Falls to the confluence of Fountain Creek and Monument Creek.
Possible sources of E. coli that were investigated included cracked sewer pipes, open pipes from wastewater sources, septic systems and animals such as horses, cows, dogs, geese and cats. USGS researchers used molecular microbiology methods known as fecal source tracking to determine whether humans or animals were responsible for contamination.