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Operation Clearwater – Water Quality Report as of 7/24/19

Hello and Happy Weekend!

Our volunteers had beautiful weather on Wednesday, July 24th, when they went out to collect water samples at the locations on the chart. It was a pretty good week with passing grades at almost every site! There has been very little rain again this week and cooler temperatures, which could be contributing to the low bacteria scores.

It looks like we have a pretty clear week ahead of us with possibly very little rain! We still highly suggest waiting at least 48 hours before enjoying any activities on the water. The rain causes runoff that brings in bacteria and other pollutants from land so we suggest residents wait before the bacteria levels drop again.

Because we only visit sites once a week, we count on you to be our eyes and ears on your Creek. Please let us know if you see or smell anything unusual around your community. Enjoy the sunny week we have ahead of us and stay safe out on the South River!

Have a wonderful weekend,

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Jesse Iliff, South Riverkeeper
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Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper

Operation Clearwater – Water Quality Report as of 7/17/19

Hello and Happy Friday!

On Wednesday, July 17th, a couple of trained Arundel Rivers Federation volunteers collected water samples at the locations on the chart. It was a great week with passing grades at every site! There has been very little rain this past week, which could have kept the bacteria levels low.

Although the bacteria levels were low on Wednesday, we did receive a large amount of rain Wednesday evening. We highly suggest waiting at least 48 hours before enjoying any activities on the water, as per Anne Arundel County’s guidance. The rain causes runoff that carries bacteria and other pollutants from land into the water.

Because we only visit sites once a week, we count on you to be our eyes and ears on your Creek. Please let us know if you see or smell anything unusual around your community. Enjoy the sunny week we have ahead of us and stay safe out on the South River!

Have a wonderful week,

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Jesse Iliff,
South Riverkeeper
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Jeff Holland,
West/Rhode Riverkeeper

                                


Operation Clearwater – Water Quality Report as of 7/10/19

On Wednesday, July 10th, a couple of trained Arundel Rivers Federation volunteers collected water samples at the locations on the chart. It looks to be a good week with lower bacteria levels than last week! We recommend not swimming at Glen Isle or Southdown Shores as the bacteria levels at these beaches can be harmful to humans.

Although the bacteria levels were low on Wednesday, we did receive a large amount of rain Thursday evening. The rain causes runoff that washes bacteria and other pollutants from land into the water. As per Anne Arundel County’s guidance, we highly suggest waiting at least 48 hours after a rain event before enjoying any swimming/recreational activities on the water.

Because we only visit sites once a week, we count on you to be our eyes and ears on your Creek. Please let us know if you see or smell anything unusual around your community. Enjoy the sunny week we have ahead of us and stay safe out on the South River!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend,

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Jesse Iliff, South Riverkeeper
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Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper


Operation Clearwater – Water Quality report as of 7/2/19

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

We received our bacteria data just in time for the Holiday weekend! On Tuesday, July 2nd, a couple of trained Arundel Rivers Federation volunteers collected water samples at the locations on the chart. Five of our twelve beaches show higher bacteria levels, in a range that can be harmful to humans.

The hot summer weather may have been part of the reason bacteria levels increased this week. Other reasons, such as goose and pet feces, and sewage leaks are also a cause of higher bacteria levels.

Because we only visit sites once a week, we count on you to be our eyes and ears on your Creek. Please let us know if you see or smell anything unusual around your community. The forecast displays rain for the rest of the week and there is a possibility that bacteria levels will continue to rise. Be cautious if you plan to spend your Fourth of July out on the South River.

Do not forget, Anne Arundel County has a 48 hour no swimming/recreational guidance of water ways after a rain event.

Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July,

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Jesse Iliff, South Riverkeeper
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Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper

HSIA Special Notice: Holiday Curbside Collection Schedule

Please be advised, the Department of Public Works, Waste Management Services, will observe the following curbside collection schedule and facility operating schedule at the Millersville Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility and the Northern, Central and Southern Recycling Centers in observance of Independence Day.

Holiday Schedule – Independence Day
▪Thur, July 4th – NO Curbside Collection – WMS Facilities Closed
▪Fri, July 5th – Curbside Collection Provided to Thursday Customers & Facilities Open
▪Sat, July 6th – Curbside Collection Provided to Friday Customers & Facilities Open

For more information on recycling and trash services, visit the Department’s web page at www.aacounty.org/departments/public-works/waste-management or call our Customer Service Representatives at 410-222-6100 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. if you have questions.

Operation Clearwater – Water Quality Report as of 6/26/19

Bacteria results are in for this past week and we are happy to report that all beaches are within acceptable bacteria limits for swimming! Broadview Estates/Preserve at Broad Creek is the only beach with bacteria levels which look a little on the high side, but they are still within the bounds of what is considered safe.

It looks like we will have warm and sunny weather this weekend, so if you are outside, enjoy!

On Wednesday, June 26th, trained Arundel Rivers Federation volunteers collected water samples at the locations on the chart below. The results are displayed as Enterococci bacteria concentrations: colony forming units (cfu) per 100mL of sample water.

Feces from waterfowl and dogs, as well as leaky septic tanks are the top contributors to high bacteria results. A week with more rain will generally cause higher bacteria levels. Rain causes runoff, which can carry the pollutants like bacteria into the water, causing greater bacteria levels. As a rule of thumb, Anne Arundel County has a 48 hour no swimming/recreational guidance of water ways after a rain event.

Please note that next week, we will be collecting samples on Tuesday, July 2nd, instead of Wednesday, July 3rd, so that you can plan your river activities accordingly for the long Holiday weekend!

Thank you and as always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a safe and wonderful weekend,

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Jesse Iliff, South Riverkeeper
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Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper

HSIA Notice of Pool Benefit for Hillsmere Residents – 2019

Hillsmere Residents:

Admission to, or use of, the pool facilities will be granted to any Hillsmere property owner consistent with the expenditure of Special Community Benefit District funds for the maintenance, repair, and/or renovation of the pool facility.

The pool will be open to all Hillsmere property owners, regardless of pool membership status, free of charge, on the last Tuesday of each month for the 2019 season:

Tuesday 6/25, 11AM-8PM

Tuesday 7/30, 11AM-8PM

Tuesday 8/27, 11AM-8PM

Operation Clearwater – Water Quality Report as of June 20, 2019

Hello and happy Friday!

We received some precipitation this past week, causing the bacteria levels to go up. Be cautious of any open wounds if you plan to spend your weekend on the South River!

On Wednesday, June 19th, a trained Arundel Rivers Federation volunteer collected water samples at the locations on the chart. The data from Wednesday shows higher bacteria levels, in a range that can be harmful to humans. It looks like we may receive a break from rain this weekend. Enjoy your activities this weekend and stay safe!

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Feces from waterfowl and dogs, as well as leaky septic tanks are the top contributors to high bacteria results. A week with more rain will generally cause higher bacteria levels. Rain causes runoff, which can carry the bacteria from feces into the water, causing greater bacteria levels.

Don’t forget, Anne Arundel County has a 48 hour no swimming/recreational guidance of water ways after a rain event.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend,

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Jesse Iliff,  South Riverkeeper

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Jeff Holland, West/Rhode Riverkeeper