Fecal Coliform In Doylestown Groundwater Not A Threat, Officials Say

Elevated levels of fecal coliform have been found in the groundwater in Doylestown Township, an expert told the township supervisors during a Tuesday meeting. However, the findings are nothing residents should be alarmed about, Township Manager Stephanie Mason told Patch.

The study, presented by Richard Burns and Russell Mehalick of GHD, is an indicator of potentially dangerous pathogens like E.coli.

This is the 13th year the township has done the assessment as part of its storm water permit requirements from the DEP.

“This is not the first time our levels have been high with fecal coliform,” Mason said. The county department of health has not indicated this is in any way a threat to residents, Mason said.

The southern portion of the township and the eastern portion of the township were found to have the highest levels of fecal coliform in its stormwater, a summary of the GHD study shows.

Area 1, which encompasses the southern part of Doylestown Township, had six samples of bacteria higher than the baseline of 200 colonies per 100 milliliters. According to the report summary, one sample had 1,900 col/100 ml.

Area 2, which includes the eastern part of the township, had four samples that exceeded the baseline. One was the maximum that could be tested, coming in at 6,000 col/100 ml.

The western part of the township had no samples above an acceptable level.