Washtenaw County officials have closed a beach in Whitmore Lake due to high E. coli levels.
The closure of Independence Lake beach at Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings Road, is effective immediately remains in effect until further tests indicate the bacteria levels are safe for swimming, the county’s health department said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the beach is closed for swimming. However, recreation that does not involve body contact with the water, such as fishing, is permitted.
Officials said the high levels were detected through routine testing.
Residents who believe they may have become ill after swimming at the beach should call the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division at (734) 222-3800 during normal business hours.
E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly found in the digestive systems of mammals and birds. Animal waste and sewage that washes into bodies of water can raise the levels of the bacteria in them. People who come into contact with water with elevated E. coli levels can suffer from gastrointestinal problems, fever, or rashes.
The closure at the beach is its latest due to high E. Coli levels. Elevated levels of the bacteria prompted officials to close the beach last year, the summer before that, in 2023, and in 2022.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: E. coli levels close Washtenaw County park’s beach
Reporting by Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
