Saratoga News

Letters

Committee believes it has duty to public

This letter is in response to the letter to the editor from City Councilmember Don Wolfe (Saratoga News, July 31), commenting on the information release from this committee concerning biological pollution in Saratoga Creek. It is unfortunate if the motivation for our informational release was misunderstood. This committee had just reviewed extensive new test results that showed high levels of total coliform, fecal coliform, streptococci and enterococci bacteria in Saratoga Creek. We believed, unanimously, that we had a duty to make the public aware of this information. We felt that it would be neither prudent nor responsible to withhold these data.

A majority of the committee members live outside the city of Saratoga, and five of the seven members of the committee were appointed by the Santa Clara County Water District.

The members of this committee continue to believe that in light of the serious levels of biological pollution in Saratoga Creek, commonsense health precautions are indicated. The actual position of the county's Department of Environmental Health is presented verbatim below, from their recent press release:

Due to the physical hazards that are naturally present in stream-side habitats, and because stream water is subject to contamination from natural and human sources, a few commonsense precautions should be considered when spending time along streams.

1. Do not drink the water. Even the purest of mountain stream water should be treated before drinking.

2. Avoid exposing fresh cuts or other wounds to stream water or soil. Properly treating and protecting wounds reduces the risk of infection and promotes rapid healing.

3. Carry a supply of drinking water if your visit to the stream will be lengthy.

4. Wash your hands with soap and potable water before eating. Handwashing before meals is simply good hygiene.

5. Wear hard-soled footwear with good support to prevent cuts, abrasions or sprains to the ankles or feet.

6. Carry a basic first-aid kit to treat minor injuries that can occur when walking in the outdoors.

For additional information, contact the Department of Environmental Health at 299-6060 or the Public Health Department, Disease Control and Prevention at 885-4214.

Urban Creek Assessment Project Oversight Committee members: Craig Breon, Audubon Society; Meg Caldwell, Stanford University; Marjorie U. Foote, League of Women Voters; Michael Lozeau, San Francisco Baykeeper; J.A. Schwartz, Friends of Santa Clara County Creeks; W.D. Whetstone, Friends of Santa Clara County Creeks