With summer in full swing and residents eager to enjoy the area’s rivers and lakes, the Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) is urging caution and providing vital information on water quality through its 2025 Swim Guide. Available now at www.coosa.org, the Swim Guide provides up-to-date information on E. coli levels at 30 popular swimming, paddling, and fishing locations throughout the region. The CRBI, a non-profit organization, is collecting water samples from these locations weekly through Labor Day.

These samples are tested for harmful E. coli bacteria, and the results are updated every Friday afternoon, allowing weekend recreationists to make informed decisions. “Our goal is to provide the public with the information they need to safely enjoy our beautiful waterways,” says Courtney Altice, Communications Manager for CRBI. “The Swim Guide is a critical tool for understanding potential risks and making responsible choices.”

The latest Swim Guide indicates cause for concern at two Chattooga County sites on the Chattooga River, one in Lyerly and one in Chattoogaville. Both sites have consistently shown high levels of E. coli, testing high 60% of the time according to CRBI data.

The Swim Guide uses a simple color-coded system: green sites indicate “low” levels of E. coli and are considered suitable for recreational activities. Red sites indicate “high” levels of E. coli, and the CRBI advises visitors to use extra caution or avoid these sites altogether. Altice emphasizes that E. coli levels often rise after periods of heavy rainfall.

The public can support the CRBI and the Swim Guide program by making a donation through the organization’s website. Your contribution helps ensure the continued monitoring and reporting of water quality, protecting the health of our community and the environment.