Water quality in Missouri lakes could cause health risks
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Water quality in Missouri lakes could cause health risks

Date: February 12, 2013
By: Luke Lyddon
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 140

Intro: 
One Missouri Senator says lakes across Missouri could have more of a health risk than originally thought.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Dan Brown of Rolla wants the State Department of Natural Resources to use a more efficient test to look for E. Coli in Missouri lakes.

Senate Environmental Committee Chairman Brad Lager says it's the government's job to make all Missouri lakes safe and free of potential health risks.

Actuality:  BLAGER2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "And there's an expectation, that when the public is enjoying those bodies of water, that it's being done so in a safe manner. And I think we have a responsibility to ensure that occurs."

Lager says the testing process can be better and is working to move this bill forward. No one in the committee expressed disagreement.

Reporting from the State Capital, I'm Luke Lyddon.

Intro: 
Lawmakers state concern for lakes that contain sewage runoff in which your children could play in.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Senator Dan Brown of Rolla is working to find more efficient ways to test the water in Missouri lakes.

Brown says when lakes are closed because of E. Coli, the media scares away residents and visitors. He says with certain testing methods, people can be reassured their lakes pose no health risks.

Actuality:  DBROWN.WAV
Run Time:  00:16
Description: "When that comes out in the press, and the way it's been presented in the press, it's just like it's closed. And they take that to mean everybody, so motel accommodations and condo accommodations just to go waste, they're gone. And it's a big impact."

No one in the committee expressed disagreement.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Luke Lyddon.

Intro: 
One Missouri Lawmaker says excess amounts of sewage runoff could be in Missouri lakes statewide, and call for a new testing method.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Senate Environmental Committee Chairman Brad Lager says there are new opportunities to test for E. Coli in Missouri lakes.

Lager says that E. Coli needs to be treated because Missouri lakes are a great benefit economically because of how many people visit each year.

Actuality:  BLAGER.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "The reality is that the bodies of water that encompass our state, are a great benefit to us from an economic perspective."

Lager says he feels responsible to help the public enjoy the lakes in a safe manner, and thinks this new process can be more productive. No one in the committee expressed disagreement.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Luke Lyddon.