Unauthorized water testing equipment found on Arkansas-Oklahoma border

Tuesday, May 17th 2005, 7:48 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Officials in Oklahoma and Arkansas say they have no idea what to think of three water-quality monitoring stations found in western Washington County in northwestern Arkansas.

Neither of the states claim the testing equipment.

The two states have been negotiating phosphorus levels in northwest Arkansas streams that feed into the Illinois River, which flows into Oklahoma. Oklahoma officials say the phosphorus is causing algae bloom in several scenic rivers and the Sooner state has required the levels of phosphorus be reduced.

The water monitoring stations have identification on them indicating they belong to a geochemistry professor at the University of Tulsa, but the professor did not return phone messages seeking comment.

Washington County officials say if they don't get answers soon they'll remove the equipment because it's on county property.