The TCEQ (Texas Commission on Enviromental Quality) has put a proposal on the docket to downgrade our lakes, rivers, streams, and all the rest of our surface water that will allow up to 630 colonies of E. coli bacteria per milliliters of water. Current contract allows a maxium of 126 colonies(That's too much for me).

It's supported by the Dairy Farmers association and a lot of our cities. Seems that the farmers said fencing the cattle away from the water bodies would cause a reduction in usable land. Our fine city fathers said without it they may have to raise sewage rates to upgrade their facilities.

They can all kiss My Bass! I'm putting together a letter to the EPA.

Sorry for the rant. I don't care to fish, swim, or boat in any more crap than we are allready exposed to.

Jack

I'm glad that I have well water and don't have to drink that stuff

I'm glad that I have well water and don't have to drink that stuff

Don't kid yourself, the next door neighbor can contaminate your private well just as easy as anything.  A couple of years ago the next door farmer to a women down the road spread 50,000 gallons of manure on his field over winter which was up hill of her well.  That cost the farmer $30g's come spring run off.

Texas doesn't have a corner on this problem.  Grand Rapids, MI has had a long long term problem with the combined sewer system (sewage and storm drains).  Each time we see 1" of rain in that city, 1 million gallons of raw sewage dumps into the Grand River.

Not a lot of fun fishing a tournament downstream a day or so after a big rain.  You learn real quick not to bite your line, and pray you don't get stuck by a hook.

630 isn't really that big of a number.  126 is the standard number and really isn't that hard to meet if your facilities are operating correctly.