07/17/2007

Editorial

Swimmers should take E. coli warnings seriously

Get used to it.

If we have more big rainstorms, we're probably going to see more E. coli warnings this summer like those issued last week for West and East Bay beaches.

Local health officials changed their protocol this year for putting out the advisories. In past years, they issued alerts after the second day of high counts because the counts often went down within 24 hours after a storm. This year, public warnings are issued on the first day.

High E. coli counts are an indicator of unhealthy water and the need for individuals, local governments and state agencies to ratchet up monitoring, public education efforts and policies that safeguard Grand Traverse Bay and the people who use it.

Here are some things we can do:

• Take the warnings seriously.

A high E. coli count is an indicator of fecal matter in the water. Warnings are issued if more than 300 colonies of E. coli are found in 100 milliliters of water, or about a tenth of a quart. The bacteria is found naturally in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans. High counts mean that full-body contact with contaminated water can cause stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting or other illnesses. Older adults, young children and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.

• Understand the underlying cause.

E. coli warnings in this region rarely have something to do with sewage spills. Most alerts come after heavy rains. Storm drains fill, overflow and flush duck droppings and animal waste as well as fertilizer and other debris into the bay. Such was the case with last week's warnings. Sections of beach closest to storm drains had the highest readings, said Sarah U'Ren, project coordinator for the Watershed Center Grand Traverse, which has the water at local beaches tested every Monday.

• Do something to protect yourself and others.

If you're thinking about going swimming after a heavy rainstorm, think again. Where do you want to go? Know where the storm drains are. Clinch Park Beach is not near a storm drain and rarely has a high E. coli count, U'Ren said.

• Educate yourself and support public education efforts.

Clean up pet waste and dispose of it in trash bins. Don't discharge boat and recreational vehicle sewage into the water or onto the ground where it can get in the groundwater. Report those who do. It's illegal for a very good reason — your health. The Department of Environmental Quality has a Web site — www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/public/default.aspx — that lists public beaches that are monitored by county. It also gives a history of test results.