Healthy Or Not?

One of the first remarks to newcomers on campus is a warning about the Red Cedar River. They are told that the river running through campus is dirty and unhealthy to swim in. Rumors of large amounts E-Coli and other horrifying diseases have run rampant through campus. These rumors, not surprisingly, are old and not up-to-date. The river, while not perfectly clean, is not as dirty as it is made out to be.

In 2007, the levels of E. Coli per 100 millimeters in the Red Cedar in the East Lansing area ranged widely. The levels tended to increase after heavy rainfall, when run-off from farms added fecal matter to the water. After one such rainfall on June 4, 2007, the E. Coli levels were at 6100 bacteria per 100 millimeters. But levels that high are rare. Most recorded levels are around 100 to 200 bacteria per 100 millimeters.

The Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Standards for Michigan said that surface waters for total body contact should contain no more than 120 E. Coli per 100 millimeters, and at no time should contain more than a maximum of 300 E. Coli per 100 millimeters. Partial body contact regulations said that surface water should not contain more than 1000 E. Coli per 100 millimeters.

The Red Cedar is not perfect, but it is getting healthier. Volunteer efforts, like the biannual Red Cedar Clean Up, help keep the river clean of trash and debris. It takes time and effort to keep the Red Cedar clean, but with the help of volunteers, it will slowly get healthier.