TDEC guidance states that “Generally speaking, untreated recreational waters (springs, streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or oceans) naturally contain bacteria, viruses and parasites from the environment. Therefore, there is always some risk associated with recreating in natural waters.”

Some Tips:

*Avoid swallowing water when swimming; natural waters may contain disease-causing organisms that can cause gastrointestinal illness if swallowed.

*Swim in an alternate local for a few days after a high reading has been detected.

*Prevent direct contact of cuts and open wounds with recreational water that may cause skin infections.

*Shower with soap after swimming; showering helps remove potential disease-causing organisms.

*Don’t swim if you are ill or have a weakened immune system; some organisms are opportunistic and may only cause illness when you are already ill or your immune system is weakened.

BLA utilizes a clean, Carefree Boat Club pontoon boat weekly to take water samples at a minimum of 4 fixed locations: 1-Winged Deer Park (downstream from Johnson City water treatment facility); 2-Boone Dam Beach (Public beach); 3-Beaver Creek (downstream from City of Bristol water treatment facility) and 4- Bluff City 11-E Bridge (downstream from Bluff City Pump Station). Other test locations may be added and tested on a periodic ad hoc basis as directed by the BLA Water Quality Committee.

These samples are analyzed at the BLA Water Testing Lab using the most up-to-date criteria available