WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- Tests from new water samples on Cherry Creek show high levels of E. Coli in the water.

The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, based at Grace College, was notified about an unusual smell and color at Cherry Creek by a local community member.

An educator was hosting an informational experience with elementary students when they noticed a black pipe that appeared to be dumping a dirty substance into the water. The Lilly Center says it responded immediately on Sept. 2 and took samples to identify the source of the pollution.

Samples were taken upstream of the pollution source, at the pollution source, and downstream of the source. On Sept. 4, samples returned with high levels of E. Coli concentration.

Location                                                                            E. Coli concentration

• ~60 meters upstream of discharge                      1,000 MPN/100ml
• Discharge pipe                                                                2,419,600 MPN/100ml
• ~60 meters downstream of discharge                   1,119,900 MPN/100ml
• Lilly Center standard sampling site                         435,200 MPN/100ml
• Mouth of Cherry Creek at Winona Lake                 135,400 MPN/100ml

The E. Coli safety threshold set by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for a one-time sample is 235 MPN/100ml.

The Town of Winona Lake and the Kosciusko County Health Department were alerted to the results.

Winona Lake began working to identify the origin of the pollution. Additional testing at Cherry Creek will be done on Wednesday.