Dangerous levels of E. coli found in Atlanta stream

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Dangerous levels of E. coli are found in a stream running through several Atlanta parks.

According to the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to monitoring and testing waterways throughout the city; E. Coli tested high in the stream running through Winn and Eubanks parks, along with the Dell in Ansley Park. The organization brought the high-level samples to the attention of the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.

Now, the city of Atlanta is posting warning signs and caution tape around the parks, where many residents, children, and pets frequent.

“Any given day that we walk the dog to the park, there is probably at least 40 people and 30 or 40 dogs running around in the park and we were the only two there,” said Jane Bilthouse who was out walking her dog.

The signs warn park-goers about the discharge of untreated sewage last week.

“I was driving by actually and noticed the caution tape and then stopped and went to look at the notices, it’s the first I heard anything about it,” said resident Tucker Green.

“I think we will probably think twice before hanging out around the water or certainly warning other people who have dogs to keep them out of the water,” said resident Melanie Green.

According to the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper the city performed smoke and dye tests along with camera scoping the storm drains to identify the spill source and continues to search for the source of the sewage leak. The organization believes the sewage contamination source could be coming from a nearby pipe.

“It's terrible we love our parks and all five parks here in Ansley are heavily used every day,” said Bilthouse.  “This is pretty weird to see it so empty.”

The organization said they have since tested the water and the levels have dropped.

FOX 5 reached out to the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management for comment, but we did not hear back.