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Kansas tells people, pets to stay out of an Osawatamie river due to bacteria increase

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a stream advisory Wednesday, telling people and animals to avoid going in the Marais des Cygnes River because of problems at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a stream advisory Wednesday, telling people and animals to avoid going in the Marais des Cygnes River because of problems at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Unsplash via Matt Hardy

Kansas environmental officials are asking people to avoid entering a river near Osawatomie because of potential contaminants in the water.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the stream advisory Wednesday, telling people and animals to avoid going in the Marais des Cygnes River because of problems at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Officials said there may be elevated bacteria and contaminants in the river. Anyone who lives near the stream or has activities close to it should not let children or pets enter the water.

The department said it will rescind the advisory once the flow recedes and future bacteria testing shows the water is safe to enter.

Andrea Klick
The Kansas City Star
Andrea Klick was a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Southern California and grew up near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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