CHICO — Sycamore Pool is finally safe enough to swim in.

The E. coli outbreak in Big Chico Creek that made people sick this summer is now over, according to an announcement Tuesday by Butte County Public Health.

BCPH on Tuesday lifted a advisory active since July 18 on Big Chico Creek after recent water and sediment tests came back negative for E. coli O157, the strain of bacteria that was found in five confirmed cases of severe infections in Butte County this summer.

Lisa Almaguer, public information officer for BCPH, said Wednesday that the creek is considered safe enough to swim for Chico’s annual polar bear plunge tradition at Sycamore Pool, “but with a word of caution.”

“This creek is a natural waterway. With natural waterways, there is always a risk of exposure to E. coli and oth

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