Bacteria closes swimming hole at Slide Rock State Park

No swimming at Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon until further notice. KJZZ’s Al Macias reports the park was closed yesterday because of health concerns.

Water samples showed unsafe levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the creek. That creates a high risk of contracting a waterborne infection.

According to an earlier EPA report the most likely sources for the pollution come from visitors, residential wastewaters, and wildlife. About 2-thousand people a day visit the park. The park itself remains open but no swimming is allowed until the bacteria levels drop.

More water samples were taken today and will be analyzed overnight. Those results will be announced tomorrow morning. For more information go to the Slide Rocks State Park website: http://azstateparks.com/parks/slro/index.html

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