An Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) published report indicates high levels of bacteria in the Shenandoah River and it’s tributaries.

The most recent samples indicate at least three quarters of Virginia’s water monitoring stations in the Shenandoah Valley were found to have high levels of fecal bacteria.

These levels are much higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends for swimming.

These bacteria levels are high due to animal waste washed into the river and its tributaries.

The Virginia General Assembly did approve the allocation of a record $265 million for farm pollution control that includes fencing around streams.

That allocation becomes available in fiscal 2023 and 2024 to help protect the river.

A map of some of the safer areas for swimming can be found here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.