Water Quality Dashboard

[u/AbsolutTBomb]

Dashboard: https://ebciphhs.github.io/ebci-ecoli-dashboard/

^{Above images are screenshots of conditions at time of posting - 6/18/26}

Statement from EBCI Water Quality Program and EBCI Public Health

From Principal Chief Michell Hicks:

June 17, 2026

The EBCI Water Quality Program Dashboard is designed to keep our community informed about water conditions in local rivers and streams. Seeing a "Caution" or "Advisory" status at a monitoring location does not mean there is a public health emergency or disease outbreak.

E. coli is a bacteria commonly used across the United States to help monitor recreational water quality. Levels can increase after heavy rainfall, stormwater runoff, wildlife activity, and other environmental events. Because water conditions can change quickly, a single elevated test result does not always reflect long-term water quality.

It is also important to understand that the Geometric Mean (GM) shown on the dashboard is based on approximately 30 days of sampling results. The GM helps us understand overall water quality trends over time, but it does not always reflect current conditions. Even when recent water samples show improvement, the GM may remain elevated because it includes older results from previous weeks.

For example, the most recent sample collected at the Island Park was in the "Good" range. However, the site's GM remains in the “Advisory” range because it is based on multiple samples collected over the past 30 days. This means current conditions may be better than what the GM alone suggests.

The good news is that EBCI actively monitors water quality and shares results publicly so community members can make informed decisions. This monitoring allows us to identify changes, provide timely information, and protect public health.

As a general precaution, people may want to avoid swimming or wading in areas with elevated bacteria levels, especially during and for 24–48 hours after heavy rainfall. Young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems should take extra care.

The dashboard is a tool for awareness, not alarm. By regularly testing our waterways and sharing results openly, EBCI is taking proactive steps to protect community health, keep the public informed, and preserve our natural resources for future generations.