State and federal officials find evidence of
brain-eating amoeba at BSR cable park. Meanwhile, Waco pool press
release declares "water tests come back clean." Bullish!
A day before Stab High last month, a New Jersey surfer,
Fabrizio Stabile, was dead in hospital after visiting
the Waco wave pool.
Whether he got it in the unfiltered water of the pool or not
wasn’t clear. Maybe he’d stuck his head under water in the hotel
jacuzzi. Maybe he’d dived into a rancid backyard pond.
Who knew etc. Until today.
Stabile “was exposed while
visiting the BSR Cable Park and Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, during
the summer,” a Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
said.
From CNN:
Water samples taken by local, state and federal health
officials at the beginning of the month ‘found evidence of
Naegleria fowleri,’ the amoeba that causes the infection, according
to the health district.
The health department concluded, “epidemiologic and
environmental assessment indicate that exposure likely occurred at
this facility.”
Although the amoeba itself was not found in water samples
from the park, “the presence of fecal indicator organisms, high
turbidity, low free chlorine levels, and other ameba that occur
along with N. fowleri indicate conditions favorable for N. fowleri
growth.
The tests were taken from the park’s Surf Resort, Royal
Flush and Lazy River features. Those areas are to remain closed
until “all health and safety issues have been addressed and
mitigated appropriately,” the health department said, adding that
the owner of the park is cooperating and working to develop a
“comprehensive water quality management plan to include current
regulatory requirements.”
The BSR Cable Park said on its website that it is installing
a state-of-the-art filtration system on the three features to
ensure that they are “as clear and clean as humanly
possible.”
Contrast those results with the park’s press release.
It really is a bullish spin. Appropriately Trumpian.
“BSR SURF RESORT, Lazy River & Royal Flush slide WATER TESTS
COME BACK CLEAN” and “BSR Determined to Go the Extra Mile, Set
Highest Standards for Safety.”
First and foremost, on behalf of the entire staff at BSR
Surf Resort, our hearts and prayers are with Fab Stabile’s family,
friends, and the New Jersey surf community. A precious life has
been lost, and we are deeply saddened for his loved ones.For the
past two weeks, increased awareness of this incredibly rare
disease, Naegleria fowleri, has swept the globe. What will come of
all this news coverage and commentary? At BSR Surf Park, we are
determined it will help save lives.
Although comprehensive test results have now confirmed that the
water at BSR Surf Resort meets every standard for safety, today I
am announcing that we are going the extra mile and hiring a North
Carolina firm to install a state-of-the-art filtration system to
make our water in the surf, on lazy river, and at the Royal Flush
slide is as clear and clean as humanly possible. It will take us to
February to complete the installation of this new filtration system
working very closely with local, state and CDC officials.
There are only a few of these man-made surf parks in the
country today, but many more will be built. Our goal is to set the
highest standard for these facilities. Going forward, BSR Surf
Resort will have the cleanest water anywhere in the United
States.
I built this water destination resort so people of all ages
could learn to surf and wakeboard — and then go home safely to
their families. We take pride in our park and the safety of every
guest. And to be clear, it’s not just the guests that use the park.
It’s also my family, our friends, and our employees that
essentially live in our water. My two year-old twins play on that
beach, and — as kids do — they drink the water every time.
So you better believe my cousin, who tests and treats the water
every day, is damn sure no one gets sick.
BSR wants to thank everyone that has supported us from the
start, and believed in what we are trying to do. We want to make
people happy — and safe — and that’s what we are going to continue
to do.
We will update you on our progress through social media and
our webpage, and look forward to seeing everyone soon with clear,
blue, clean water.
Hoo-ee.
You going?
(Editor’s note: If you want reassurance, and a little more spin,
click here.)
