Creek Segment Cleared of E. coli
More than eight miles of Clifty Creek on the southeast side of Columbus have been removed from a list of waters impaired by E. coli bacteria.
The Clifty Creek Watershed Project have reduced bacteria inputs including key sources such as manure spread on pastures, crops, livestock, leaking and failing septics and wildlife. The watershed project partners include the Bartholomew County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Decatur County Soil and Water Conservation District and others.
The Clifty Creek Watershed Project's delisting of the stream segment from the state list of impaired waters has received national recognition.
In 2010, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management proposed removing an 8.12 mile long segment of the lower Clifty Creek from the 2002 Clean Water Act list of impaired waters from E. coli bacteria. This is the eight mile stretch from just a little north of the intersection of U.S. 31 and 25th Street to the creek's confluence with East Fork White River, east of Walesboro.
The project has recently been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a success story for the state of Indiana, according to the watershed project.
E. coli bacteria originate from contamination of water by fecal or waste materials.