Report: Some Greene, Fayette streams test positive for E. coli
Local streams were among those found to exceed safe levels of E. coli in a new report published by a Pennsylvania environmental group.
The report by Philadelphia-based PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center found potentially hazardous amounts of fecal contamination at least once in about 55% of the 653 rivers, streams and lakes sampled over a two-year period.
On at least two of the eight days samples were taken, 39% of the locations showed unsafe concentrations of E. coli.
“The rivers, lakes, and streams that crisscross Pennsylvania are an invaluable part of our natural heritage,” David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, said in a livestream presenting the report’s findings. “And each year, millions of the state’s residents and people, really from all over the globe, visit Pennsylvania’s waterways to walk their shores, to kayak and paddle, to boat, to fish and swim, and especially this time of year … far too often, our streams and rivers are plagued with pathogens that can make swimmers, paddlers, or even anglers sick.”
They based their assessment on E. coli levels, which states often use to determine whether the water is safe enough for swimmers and other recreational users.
As their cutoff, the researchers used the EPA’s Beach Action Value — 190 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters for freshwater recreational waters.
Samples were taken at several sites in Fayette and Greene counties. None from Washington County were included in the report.
In Greene County, tests at an unnamed tributary of House Run found E. coli levels exceeding safety standards on six of eight days.
Mill Run in Fayette County also displayed elevated levels, testing above the safety thresholds twice.
Samples taken at four sites along the Youghiogheny River in Fayette showed the results to be within normal levels in every test.
Pennsylvania fared better than most of the other states in the report.
All but two of the 17 states included in the report had a higher percentage of sites with at least one day of potentially unsafe results. Montana was lowest at 38%; Ohio had the highest at 90%.
The report laid out several reasons why contamination levels had risen in recent years, including outdated sewage systems, development, and manure from large-scale factory farming.
The bacteria, viruses and parasites from sewage can enter local waters if systems become blocked or develop leaks. In cases of heavy rain events, combined systems — which discharge wastewater and sewage together — are often designed to spill directly into waterways.
More sewer systems accompany development, which can also exacerbate water quality problems by paving over wetlands and other areas that could have reduced surface runoff.
PennEnvironment called for investments in repairing and modernizing stormwater infrastructure.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimate put the cost of making the necessary upgrades in Pennsylvania at $638 million a year over the next 20 years.
Current appropriations aren’t close to that level, Masur said. For 2026, Pennsylvania received $135 million in federal funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
The report contained several more suggestions: protecting and restoring wetlands and other buffers that can filter out pollutants, and finding ways to prevent manure from industrial operations from reaching waterways.
“At PennEnvironment, we’re confident that if our elected officials truly prioritize clean water, Pennsylvanians will be able to enjoy our great outdoor locations, enjoy great outdoor recreational activities like swimming, boating, and fishing all along the great rivers, lakes, and streams in the Keystone State for generations to come,” Masur said.
A map showing the statewide results is available at bit.ly/4ziz4Ap.