The City of Ozark and the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Clean Water Partnership joined forces in supporting the Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper. Inc. in bacteriological sampling efforts in the Hurricane Creek Watershed. The creek runs from Ozark, Alabama to its mouth at John Hutto Park in Newton, Alabama.
Bacteriological sampling was conducted in September 2010 at 9 sites in the watershed according to the Alabama Water Watch (AWW) bacteriological monitoring protocol. AWW trained and certified volunteer monitors, Lee Bradburn and Amanda Saad, assisted Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper. Inc. in the sampling effort. Lisa Harris, the CPYRCWP facilitator also assisted with the sampling.
Sampling results indicated that the main source of fecal bacteria contamination was somewhere upstream of Harry Walker Road and downstream of sampling points further upstream. Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper, ADEM and the City of Ozark will continue to work to attempt to identify the source or sources of contamination.