Chattahoochee River "Infected" with Harmful E-Coli Bacteria - Levels Reportedly "Through the Roof"

Highly dangerous amounts of e-Coli bacteria are recently found in the Chattahoochee River flowing all the way to the Johnson Ferry Road area in Atlanta due to a sewage spill underneath the riverbed. 

White specks and the smell of raw sewage has been observed in the stretch.

The Chattahoochee flows southwesterly, then turns due south through Columbus.

It is highly doubtful that Columbus or the Valley area will be affected, but a stretch of the river in the Atlanta area is closed to recreational use until further notice.

At first six miles up north were closed off, but the area affected has now extended to 11 miles last checked.

Jason Ulseth, from the Chattahoochee River Keeper, said. “Our sample result shows that this is highly dangerous to be in the water here and downstream, all the way to Johnson Ferry...the specks are all toilet paper we are seeing coming up from the bottom of the river.” 

He said officials took samples  and lab results determined that the "E.coli is through the roof."

Though the chances of the sluice affecting the Valley area are slim at this point, people who plan to enjoy the waterway for the July 4th holiday should be particularly cautious regardless, especially since the "Hooch" flows south from the Blue Ridge Mountains.