River testing next week

Testing of water samples from the South Fork of the Palouse River in Colfax is expected to begin next Wednesday, Aug. 12. Colfax city and state Department of Ecology crews will conduct the tests in an attempt to determine the source of fecal coliform bacteria which were discovered to be at elevated levels in the last 1.5 miles of the river.

Researchers in the channel will wear protective gear because at some locations they could be sampling raw sewage. The sampling is scheduled for the second weeks of August and September.

Colfax Public Works Director Andy Rogers reported to the city council Monday night that samples taken from the river will be tested in the lab at the waste water treatment center.

The tests will aim at finding a source of contamination which is flowing into the south Palouse.