Water in 17 states tested positive for unsafe levels of E. Coli

There's no doubt that summer is the busiest season for swimmers, paddlers, and fishers. A new report from Environment America Research and Policy Center found that 69% of monitored waterways in 17 states had unsafe levels of bacteria at least one day in 2024 and 2025. And while that one day might not seem like such a big deal, the report's co-author, Abby Longo, explains why it is. Pollution in the water poses a health risk to people in the United States. and in Missouri at the places that we love to visit. The specific form of pollution and pathogens that we're focusing on is E. coli bacteria. And in Missouri, the report found that out of 202 locations tested, 70% had unsafe levels of E. coli at least 25% of the time they were tested. The data comes a week after high E. coli levels were found in the Big River in our south of St. Louis. Jade Aubrey, KMOX News.