MANISTEE COUNTY — District Health Department #10 is urging residents and visitors to avoid contact with the water at the Crystal Lake public swimming area due to elevated E. coli levels.
The health department was notified Friday that samples collected by Ferris State University showed unusually high bacteria levels at the Manistee County site. Ferris State will continue collecting samples until the contamination levels return to safe standards.
According to DHD#10, exposure to water with elevated E. coli increases the risk of illness, especially among children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, dehydration, respiratory infections and skin infections from open wounds.
Warning signs have been posted at the swimming area and will remain in place until the advisory is lifted. Additional samples will be taken to confirm when bacteria levels decline.
The public can monitor water quality updates by visiting the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s BeachGuard site at https://mienviro.michigan.gov/explorer/beach/map/results.