Health officials test Lake Shawnee water
10:51 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008
Topeka — Some swimmers can no longer enjoy relaxing at the Shawnee Lake swim beach after lifeguards found human waste in the water.
This is a story we broke Wednesday night on 49 news at 10.
We told you then county officials say the water is safe.
But now, 49 News has learned the state is taking action.
Temperatures were up again Thursday, but the numbers at the Shawnee County Swim Beach were down.
"We all noticed, 'cause usually it's really crowded," said Heather Spellmeier of Topeka. "And everyone's commented today on how no one's here. But that could be a reason. I didn't know."
What she didn't know about was a Tuesday incident human waste was found in the swimming area.
If she had known, says Spellmeier, she wouldn't have been there.
"No. No. I would not, no."
Which is what Gray Bothwell thought on Tuesday. As we first told you Wednesday night, he was there for the disgusting discovery, and walked away from his lifeguarding job when swimmers weren't told what happened.
"It's a health issue and that really affects me," he said.
As we also told you on Wednesday, county officials say the water is OK, and that's OK for some.
"We're OK with it," said AnnMarie Gloditch of Lawrence. "We did have a good time."
Others were still concerned.
"Uh, I don't think I'd wanna go back in the water," said Raymond Campo of Topeka, another first-timer at the beach. "If it is contaminated then we have a right to know."
Thursday afternoon, state health officials took water samples from the swim beach area.
Test results are expected Friday.
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