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Resident tells Fishers council of high E. coli counts in Windjammer-area stream; city says multiple agencies engaged
Summary
A Fishers resident raised concerns about elevated E. coli concentrations in a stream behind Windjammer Drive South and questioned the speed of the city’s response. The resident said the Indiana Department of Health and EPA had been involved and recommended additional testing; council members said multiple agencies are working on the issue.
Dr. James Gaydos, a resident of Windjammer Drive South, told the Fishers City Council on July 21 that he and neighbors have reported elevated E. coli counts in a stream behind their homes and expressed frustration with what he described as slow city follow-up.
Gaydos said initial notification to the city occurred in April and that he later contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; he said the EPA reached out and the Indiana Department of Health has since worked with the city. Gaydos told the council that the Indiana Department of Health recommended ground-proximity radar, smoke testing and red-dye testing, and that some onsite follow-up meetings took place on June 4. He said IDOH sample results were “well above” the city’s and urged a more urgent response.
“I’m here in regards to the concerns and perceptions that I have in regards to the timeliness that it's taken,” Gaydos said, describing residents’ concerns about septic systems and drainage. He also asked the city to pursue additional resources such as health-department support, surveying and testing to locate and address potential sources.
Council President Pete Peterson acknowledged residents’ frustration and said multiple governmental organizations complicate the response. Peterson said city staff, the mayor’s office and council members have been following the issue and urged Gaydos to forward his presentation to the council so staff can act on specific recommendations. “I do know I’ve kinda dug into this along with the mayor and Todd and some others have been looking into it,” Peterson said, adding that several council members have the matter under review.
City staff did not announce specific new actions during the meeting beyond confirming coordination with IDOH and the EPA. Gaydos and other residents urged faster follow-up, more frequent updates and use of the testing methods recommended by IDOH. The council asked staff and agency partners to continue the investigation and to provide updates to residents and the council as appropriate.
