Kansas tells people, pets to stay out of an Osawatamie river due to bacteria increase

Kansas environmental officials are asking people to avoid entering a river near Osawatomie because of potential contaminants in the water.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the stream advisory Wednesday, telling people and animals to avoid going in the Marais des Cygnes River because of problems at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Officials said there may be elevated bacteria and contaminants in the river. Anyone who lives near the stream or has activities close to it should not let children or pets enter the water.

The department said it will rescind the advisory once the flow recedes and future bacteria testing shows the water is safe to enter.