Deaths of Fish in Arco Waters
Still a Mystery

By JACK MORSE

The Brunswick News

Mysteries remain regarding the deaths of hundreds of fish in a pond and nearby canal in the Arco neighborhood of Brunswick.

But the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division does not think fecal coliform contamination in the water is the culprit behind the deaths that occurred about three weeks ago.

After the discovery of the fish, the EPD and Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division immediately began investigating the incident. So did James Holland, founder of the environmental group Altamaha Riverkeeper.

Results of the reports indicate above-normal levels of fecal matter in the water.  However, different reports indicate different amounts of contamination. Don McHugh, an environmental engineer with EPD, said those reports may not even indicate the cause of death.

The result of EPD testing indicates levels of fecal coliform to be between 1,300 and 5,950 colonies of fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water in the area.

Holland said he has seen reports that indicated fecal coliform was at 500,000 colonies of fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water in the pond.

Holland described the amount as “massive" and said residents should be "very concerned that this amount of sewage can get in there.”

While both levels are high — an acceptable level is about 200 — McHugh said the levels are not necessarily alarming.  “It’s higher than we would like to see, that’s for sure,” he said.  “But this is not extremely high. We’ve all probably been exposed to these levels in the past."

McHugh said the high levels of fecal coliform would not have caused the fish kill.  He said the cause of death would be more likely due to natural causes such as a pond turnover, a natural condition that will often occur during the first few days of cooler weather and can cause the deaths of large numbers of fish.

McHugh said that, due to large amounts of rain that        caused flooding near the time        of death, an influx of saltwater may have killed the fish.

“We may never know the source (of the kill),” McHugh said.

Nevertheless, the EPD is taking steps to investigate the high fecal coliform content, which McHugh said may be related to a septic problem.  EPD.will also check old man-holes and sewer lines, though McHugh said the problem is probably not a sewage spill.