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Email Us
moenviron@moenviron.org
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6267 Delmar Blvd. Ste. 2E
St. Louis, MO 63130
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| Home > Water Quality > Kiefer Creek |
E Coli in Kiefer Creek
 Keifer Creek, a popular swimming area in Castlewood State Park, is frequently contaminated with dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria.
E. coli levels in Keifer Creek have reached 349 times the legal standard for swimming. By comparison, levels of E. coli at Lake of the Ozarks that were the center of controversy last spring reached just 19 times the legal standard for swimming.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been aware of this issue for almost ten years. During that time, nothing had been done to identify the source of the elevated bacteria levels, to notify the public of the significant health hazard, or to take steps to clean up Keifer.
Officials have even commented: "Keifer Creek is one of the best streams in St. Louis."
DNR only recently posted notices around Keifer Creek to warn people that swimming in the water may be unsafe. Although the source of the contamination of Keifer Creek remains unknown, the Coalition believes it is likely the result of old and poorly maintained septic tanks. We need your help to let people know that Keifer Creek isn't safe!
How can I help? Get involved!
 Become a member of Missouri Coalition for the Environment! Click here to join.
Do you use Keifer Creek for recreation? Then fill out our Recreational Use Comment Form.
Attend a Keifer Creek Hike, and bring your friends! Want to learn more about Keifer? Join the Coalition the second Saturday of every month in Castlewood State Park for our Keifer Creek hike series. For more info, email Noelle at nwyman@moenviron.org or call 314-727-0600. RSVP here.
Join the effort to restore Keifer Creek: sign up to volunteer your time for Keifer.
Write a letter to the Department of Natural Resources (Download a sample letter [Word doc]) and send to:
Leanne Tippett-Mosby, Chief of Water Protection
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Become a volunteer water quality monitor: Join a local Stream Team or start your own. Visit www.mostreamteam.org for more information.
Background and Resources:
Keifer Creek aerial view
Graph of E. coli levels as reported by MSD and USGS
Water Quality Report for Small Streams of the St. Louis Area
Volunteer Form to Help Restore Kiefer Creek
Presentation on Castlewood Park (PDF)
Post-Dispatch: Castlewood to get E. coli warnings
KSDK: E. coli contaminated creek not eligible for warning signs
KSDK: Nixon responds to "cover up" allegations and pollution concerns
Lake of the Ozarks E. coli Report (PDF)
Kiefer Creek USGS Testing 1996-2003 (PDF)
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