GOLCONDA - Increased levels of E.coli found in portions of the Ohio River near Golconda have prompted the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission to launch a study to investigate where the contamination is coming from, officials said Friday.

A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Pope County High School in Golconda.

Jason Heath, manager of the water assessment programs for ORSANCO said a project was recently conducted on the entirety of the Ohio River, which starts in Pittsburgh, Pa. and ends in Cairo.

"There are, from time to time, levels of bacteria that exceed the standards that protect swimmers," Heath said. "There are several segments of the Ohio River near Golconda that listed as bacteria having raised levels."

"Levels of E. coli are the indicator that we use to show the presence of human sewage levels that are high," Heath explained.

Sam Dinkins, an environmental specialist, said the portion of the river near Golconda was sampled over a dozen times, including a five week portion where the river was tested once a week for five weeks.

"The primary purpose for the project is to identify all of the sources that need to be controlled to meet water quality standards. That is one component of the study that we will be announcing."

Heath and Dinkins said the commission will investigate the cause of the high bacterial levels.

"We will tell them you can discharge no more than this amount in order that the river remains safe," Heath said.

Heath said he couldn't say whether or not people should be concerned about the bacteria, calling it a personal choice whether or not they would continue to use the river while levels are high.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com / 351-5824