HAMILTON(near Waco)- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says part of the Leon River is contaminated with bacteria. First an abundance of algae in the Bosque River makes water in Waco taste bad, now a portion of the Leon River tests positive for bacteria. TCEQ officials do not know what exactly is causing the rise in bacteria on part of the Leon River. The bacteria found did test positive for e-coli and fecal chloroform.More than sixty county, city, ranchers and dairy men filled a meeting Wednesday in Hamilton to listen to what TCEQ had to say about the issue. The Leon River north above Highway 281 and south of the Proctor Dam had a higher percentage of bacteria in the watershed. TCEQ is now working to figure out a way to fix the issue. For some it could mean building a fence along the river on their property. But for many, it could necessitate an increase in taxes to implement better programs and wastewater treatment centers.
"The people who live in the cities will probably have to pay for that through additional and increased utility rates. From a farmer, ranch perspective, they just want to continue to use the land as they always have," said Dickie Clary, a Hamilton County Commissioner. ____(Waco TV copy)
This is serious since Leon River is a fishing,swimming and water supply for adjacent communities(Waco) in central Texas. The farmers, ranchers and fishermen are at risk as well as public water supply for Waco as this e-coli is not a minor health matter.
DON'T DRINK THE WATER NEAR WACO!!
