The city of Sedona would like to remind everyone that Oak Creek, a state-designated “Outstanding Arizona Water,” is also an ‘Impaired Water.” The impairment is because of E. coli, a fecal coliform bacteria present in the intestines of warm-blooded creatures, including humans, dogs, and wildlife such as javelina, deer, skunks and raccoons. Citizens can reduce impacts to Oak Creek by picking up pet and livestock waste on both public and private property. The city collected 5.59 tons of pet waste between January 2014 and December 2017, and 1,426 pounds through mid-May of this year. Other ways to minimize E. coli in Oak Creek include: proper disposal of baby diapers, packing out all trash and food waste to keep scavenging animals from defecating near the river and using appropriate bathroom facilities.
