Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Home > Hot Topics

Mill Creek (Arnold) Headwaters Advisory Lifted
Posted on: 9.14.2006

Department of Health Lifts Advisory for Headwaters of Mill Creek (Arnold)

Test Results Show Water Quality Acceptable for Swimming and Other Recreational Use

September 14, 2006 - The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has received the test results of water samples collected on September 11 and 12 from the headwaters area of Mill Creek in Arnold. Results show that the water in Mill Creek is acceptable for recreational water use, according to standards set by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Department of Health�s September 1 advisory, which extended from the headwaters to Haskell Drive on Mill Creek, has been lifted.

The Department of Health is responsible for issuing health advisories or closing recreational water areas when a sewage spill, leak, high bacterial count or other problem indicates that a human health risk exists. The water samples are tested for enterococci, bacteria that come from the intestine of all warm-blooded animals. Lab results from collected water samples take two or more working days to process. Advisories remain in effect until results meet acceptable levels for two or more consecutive days.

WATER SAMPLE RESULTS (See Map of Water Sampling Locations)

The Department of Health conducted weekly water sampling on Mill Creek during the peak swim season (Memorial Day - Labor Day).

The acceptable level for recreational water use of Mill Creek waterway during peak season is 275 MPN (most probable number) of bacteria colonies present in 100 milliliters of water. The acceptable level during other times is 500 MPN.

SAMPLE LOCATION	Average MPN	DATE SAMPLE
SAMPLE LOCATION	per 100 ml.	COLLECTED
Doncaster Road	33	6/1/2006
	*30	6/5/2006
	*143	6/12/2006
	*1,636	6/20/2006
	*43	6/22/2006
	*greater than 2,000	6/26/2006
	*16	7/5/2006
�	40	7/10/2006
�	10	7/17/2006
�	*10	7/24/2006
�	10	7/31/2006
�	*20	8/7/2006
�	16	8/14/2006
�	16	8/21/2006
�	*10	8/28/2006
Haskell Drive	5,730	12/19/2005
	544	12/20/2005
	190	12/21/2005
	103	12/22/2005
	*373	12/27/2005
	*160	12/29/2005
	*463	1/3/2006
	10	1/9/2006
	73	1/17/2006
	10	2/15/2006
	13	3/21/2006
	Less than 10	4/11/2006
	273	5/30/2006
	450	6/1/2006
	*613	6/5/2006
	*2,010	6/12/2006
	*2,010	6/20/2006
	*1,703	6/22/2006
	*greater than 2,000	6/26/2006
	*186	7/5/2006
�	236	7/10/2006
�	26	7/17/2006
�	*70	7/24/2006
�	16	7/31/2006
�	*36	8/7/2006
�	236	8/14/2006
�	236	8/21/2006
�	616*	8/28/2006
�	*353	8/30/2006
�	*970	9/7/2006
�	70	9/11/2006
�	*90	9/12/2006
Mill Harbor Drive	5,204	12/19/2005
	530	12/20/2005
	380	12/21/2005
	216	12/22/2005
	*213	12/27/2005
	*130	12/29/2005
	*636	1/3/2006
	20	1/9/2006
	110	1/17/2006
	10	2/15/2006
	20	3/21/2006
	Less than 10	4/11/2006
	53	5/30/2006
	23	6/1/2006
	*13	6/5/2006
	*106	6/12/2006
	*1,773	6/20/2006
	*43	6/22/2006
	*greater than 2,000	6/26/2006
	*13	7/5/2006
�	10	7/10/2006
�	10	7/17/2006
�	*10	7/24/2006
�	Less than 10	7/31/2006
�	*16	8/7/2006
�	13	8/14/2006
�	23	8/21/2006
�	*10	8/28/2006
Ferry Point Marina	2,317	12/19/2005
	950	12/20/2005
	320	12/21/2005
	123	12/22/2005
	30	12/27/2005
	*10	12/29/2005
	*13	1/3/2006
	20	1/9/2006
	40	1/17/2006
	10	2/15/2006
	10	3/21/2006
	Less than 10	4/11/2006
	13	5/30/2006
	10	6/1/2006
	*16	6/5/2006
	*193	6/12/2006
	*1,823	6/20/2006
	*46	6/22/2006
	*greater than 2,000	6/26/2006
	*16	7/5/2006
�	16	7/10/2006
�	10	7/17/2006
�	*13	7/24/2006
�	26	7/31/2006
�	*30	8/7/2006
�	13	8/14/2006
�	16	8/21/2006
�	*13	8/28/2006

*Sampled within 48 hours after rainfall
** Resampled to verify and assess high bacterial level

Factors that can affect the reduction of bacteria colonies include water temperature, precipitation and tidal action. For the most recent Mill Creek test results, check this Web site or call the Water Quality Line, 410-222-7999. For more information on the sampling program, call the Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program at 410-222-7241.

Additional Information: