Dangerous levels of E. coli found in parts of James River

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The James River Watch has recorded dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria in the James River from multiple testing locations around Richmond.

Swimming in or ingesting E. coli can make you very sick.

Symptoms typically appear within three to four days of exposure. They can include gastrointestinal problems, eye and ear infections, skin rashes, urinary tract infections, kidney infections, bloody diarrhea and, in some cases, death.

James River Keeper for the James River Association, Tom Dunlap, says it results from higher levels of “human fecal matter” in the water.

“This is specifically important in the metropolitan area for Richmond because we have Combined Sewer Overflows, which is part of the infrastructure that the city operates,” Dunlap said. “And when we have large rainfalls, it can cause untreated sewage to spill out into the waterway, creating unsafe conditions.”

James River Watch program volunteers test the water every Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The purpose is to measure the bacteria loading levels to see if they align with what the Virginia Department of Health considers safe for recreation in the water.

“The level that we’re monitoring against through our weekly sampling is a threshold level of 235 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of water,” Dunlap said. “And if we exceed that threshold of 235 CFUs, then it’s suggested that it’s unsafe to be in the water for a period of time.”

Their recent readings in some parts of the James River are 10 times higher than what is considered safe.

Right now, avoid Rocketts Landing, the 14th Street Takeout, the Rope Swing at Tredegar and the 42nd Street Access.

Justin Green likes to relax and listen to music by the James River in the shade at Rocketts Landing.

“Enjoy the atmosphere, the scenery, you know, being outdoors is always wonderful,” Green said.

But he knows when to avoid the water.

“Sometimes you can see various colors, discoloration in the water, and so you gotta figure must be chemicals or some type of waste,” Green said. “And when you don’t know what it is, you want to stay out.”

It is safe to assume that after every large rain, sewage spills into the James River, but the City of Richmond is hoping to change that.

It is seeking $650 million for sewer infrastructure improvements to prevent overflows into the river by 2035.

“We are very hopeful that we will see a clean James River for swimming,” Dunlap said.