Read more: State, Local, Health, Community, Environment, E. Coli, Lake, Health, Report
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's environmental agency has completed a water quality study at the Lake of the Ozarks that was triggered by the delayed reporting of E. coli test results.
The Department of Natural Resources said Monday it has finished analyzing samples from nearly 80 sites across the mid-Missouri lake. Besides E. coli bacteria, the samples were also checked for pesticides, petroleum and other pollutants.
Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the study in September amid criticism that DNR had delayed releasing a report earlier this year on high levels of E. coli in the lake.
Nixon also ordered inspections of entities with permits to discharge water into the lake. Those inspections resulted in 100 letters of warning and 60 notices of violations of Missouri clean water rules. DNR has referred 29 cases to the attorney general's office.
