The Health Department of Northwest Michigan started its annual beach monitoring program on Monday, June 22.
The program, which includes 50 public beaches across Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, is designed to provide information about safe recreational water conditions.
“HDNW’s beach monitoring program helps protect public health by providing timely information about water quality at beaches throughout our region,” said Jeremy Fruk, HDNW’s Environmental Health Director, in a release. “When elevated bacteria levels are detected, advisory signs will be posted at the beach entrance to help visitors make informed decisions about water activities.”
During the summer, the department’s Environmental Health staff collect and test water samples weekly. Those samples are tested for E. Coli bacteria, which officials said is an indicator of water quality contamination that can pose a health risk to swimmers. If an advisory is issued, signs will be posted at the affected beaches.
The colors of advisories are:
Test results will also be shared at nwhealth.org and on social media. The affected beach will be retested daily until results return to a safe level.
Current beach monitoring results, advisories and closures throughout the state are available to view at egle.state.mi.us/beach.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Health Department of Northwest Michigan starts summer beach monitoring
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
