The City of LaFayette says it has identified the source of the elevated E. coli levels that have kept the swimming area at Queen City Lake closed in recent weeks.
In an update released this week, city officials said broader testing conducted around the lake successfully traced the contamination to runoff from a nearby private property.
According to the city, private land bordering one of the streams that feeds Queen City Lake was recently treated with an organic-based fertilizer. Recent rainfall caused runoff from the treated property to flow into the lake, with currents carrying it directly toward the beach area. Officials said that resulted in elevated E. coli levels in the shallow waters near the shoreline.
The city also reported that testing around the Highlands Club, where a private sewer leak is currently being repaired, showed no elevated E. coli levels. Officials said the remainder of the lake also tested clear.
While the source has been identified, the city said it will continue to regularly monitor bacteria levels as rainfall and time help clear the fertilizer runoff from the lake.
The Queen City Lake beach area will remain closed to swimming until testing confirms it is safe to reopen. City officials noted that elevated bacteria levels have remained consistent along the shoreline and have appeared sporadically near the dock.
Officials said they will continue to provide updates as monitoring continues and will announce when the beach is cleared for public use.