GRDA Investigating Sewage Runoff in Grove

Vinita — A raw sewage runoff, which according to some reports has been making its way into Grand Lake for at least three years, is a major cause of concern and has prompted the Grand River Dam Authority to investigate the site and seek the intervention of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). On Monday the DEQ announced that it would take legal action against the 50-unit mobile home park in District Court.
"The lack of a proper septic system at the location appears to be a violation of ODEQ regulations," said GRDA Chief Executive Officer Easley, "and the runoff is polluting Grand Lake with dangerous raw sewage every time there is a heavy rain. So we are asking that ODEQ take steps to fix this hazard."
GRDA Ecosystems Compliance Officer Charlie Floyd discovered the site, at the Four Seasons Mobile Home Park near Grove, in early November and knew immediately there was a problem. "Raw sewage was running down the middle of blacktop roadway heading directly to the edge of the lake," said Floyd. "The distance is quite a ways from the water’s edge, but there is large ditch that has been cut by running water during hard rains. Without a doubt, this carries sewage directly into the lake every time it rains."
"It was obvious this was raw sewage," said GRDA Ecosystems Management Superintendent Dr. Darrell Townsend, Ph.D. "Just from the looks and the odor, we knew what we were dealing with. However, we decided to test water samples taken from the source."
Those tests, performed by GRDA Water Biologist Jeff Day, left no doubt. "He tested for Fecal Coliform, Ecoli and total Coliform and the results were off the charts," said Townsend, who added that GRDA is continuing with its investigation and considering what action can be taken.
...from Justin Alberty, GRDA