FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2023
High Bacteria Levels Detected in Meadow Creek
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Recent water quality monitoring conducted by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance has detected elevated E. coli bacterial levels in Meadow Creek in the vicinity of Meadowcreek Gardens Park. This situation is being investigated by local authorities in an attempt to identify and address the problem.
The public is advised to avoid direct contact with the water. E.coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria and when it is found in water, it is a strong indicator of sewage or animal waste contamination which can cause disease or illness.
Meadow Creek is one of Charlottesville’s main waterways, emerging from a culvert near the intersection of Barracks Road and Meadowbrook Road and flowing through the northern part of the city before entering the Rivanna River.
The City has developed a Urban Stream Health webpage, www.charlottesville.gov/Stream-Health, which provides the community with information about water quality in our urban streams, access to stream monitoring results, practical guidelines for interacting with urban streams, and suggestions for protecting the health of our urban streams. This webpage will provide updates on the bacterial contamination in Meadow Creek as they are available
Media Contact
Dan Frisbee
Water Resources Specialist
City of Charlottesville
(434) 970-3997
frisbee@charlottesville.gov
