Butler County lifts swimming, fishing advisory for the Great Miami River

The Butler County General Health District has lifted the Great Miami River advisory that was issued last week after higher levels of E.coli were released from the Middletown sewage treatment plant.

The water advisory, telling residents not to swim or fish in the Great Miami River south of Oxford State Road, was lifted Monday afternoon, after public health officials were notified the City of Middletown Sewage Treatment Plant had resumed normal operations.

RELATED: UPDATE: Butler County health department tells residents to not enter, fish in Great Miami River E.coli discharge

Water samples taken over the weekend have been consistently showing that the plant is no longer discharging high levels of E. Coli into the Great Miami River. A precautionary water advisory as a result of under-treated sewage was issued by the health departments last week.

In consultation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency health officials have determined that normal river recreation activities may resume.

Officials encourage river users to follow the typical precautions including:

• Not drinking river water;

• Washing hands thoroughly;

• Showering after river use.

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