UPDATE 9:30 a.m. Aug. 8:
TRAVERSE CITY — Water samples taken from Grand Traverse Bay beaches on Aug. 7 show that E. coli levels at both Clinch Park and West End Beach meet state standards for full body contact, according to the Grand Traverse County Health Department.
Clinch Park recorded an E. coli level of 35 per 100 milliliters of water, while West End Beach recorded a level of 13. Both fall within Level 1 of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality index, which indicates safe conditions for swimming.
Level 1 classification means E. coli levels range from 0 to 300 per 100 milliliters in a single sample, and meet EGLE standards for full body contact. Levels above 300 trigger additional advisories, ranging from limited contact to full health alerts.
The health department notes that samples are collected weekly, and conditions can change between sample days—especially following heavy rains or storms. Beaches are tested using a composite sampling method approved by EGLE.
More information is available from the Environmental Health Division at the Grand Traverse County Health Department.
TRAVERSE CITY — Water testing conducted Wednesday found elevated E. coli levels at two Grand Traverse County beaches, prompting health officials to issue partial-body contact advisories.
According to an Aug. 7 news release, Clinch Park and West End Beach both exceeded the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s water quality standards for E. coli, according to the Grand Traverse County Health Department. Both are now under a Level 2 advisory, which permits activities such as wading, fishing and boating but recommends against contact with the water above the waist.
The beaches are scheduled to be resampled Thursday, with results expected Friday. Until then, health officials advise beachgoers to exercise caution.
All other tested beaches in the county met EGLE standards and remain at Level 1, supporting full-body contact.
E. coli levels tend to rise following heavy rain or high winds, according to The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay. The organization urges swimmers to avoid areas near storm drains, particularly during or shortly after rainstorms. Stormwater runoff may carry bacteria and pathogens from animal feces into the water, although levels typically decline as sunlight helps break down bacteria.
More information and a full list of beach sampling results are available at www.gtcountymi.gov/Health-Department.
