Drought conditions that are ravaging crops and landscaping in White County have at least a small silver lining.
White County Environmental office Jim Reynolds tells the Herald
Journal in Monticello that the lack of rainfall has led to low numbers of E. coli bacteria in Lakes Shafer and Freeman.
The bacteria can cause diarrhea, pneumonia and other illnesses.
Health officials test the lakes twice a year for the bacteria.
Reynolds says all but one of 25 sites tested measured E. coli at less than half the recommended levels.
More testing is expected to be done after Labor Day.
