ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN - Officials at the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center have issued a warning restricting swimming, wading and water skiing on Woods Reservoir.
The restriction was issued because of elevated levels of E. coli found in the water.
AEDC increased monitoring of water quality on Arnold Air Force Base's Woods Reservoir as a result of the spill of raw sewage in Monteagle, Tenn., over the weekend, and the possibility that the spill could migrate to the Elk River and then into Woods Reservoir.
The source of the high levels of E. coli is unknown at this time and has not been linked to the Monteagle spill. E. coli tests require 24 hours to process. The samples that showed positive Tuesday afternoon were from Monday sampling.
Center officials are not restricting boating or fishing at this time, but urge people to be cautious and not expose themselves to lake water or drink untreated water from the lake. Any fish caught in Woods should be washed and fully cooked.
AEDC health officials will continue to monitor water quality daily. The restrictions will remain until E. coli levels return to normal limits.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control is partnering with AEDC to do additional testing to attempt to determine the source of elevated E. coli levels.