Oakland County Faces Beach Closings Due to Heavy Rainfall

It’s always wonderful to have the opportunity to take a dip in the beautiful lakes of Oakland County on a sizzling summer day. Unfortunately, a handful of public and private beaches have been closed this summer due to soaring counts of E. coli bacteria.

As it stood on Friday, August 2, five beaches had to be shut down. The closures often change day to day, depending on the bacteria levels in the water. It seems heavy showers play a part in the number of beach closings, as rainfall can lead to animal waste runoff, particularly from geese and ducks, which essentially increases E. coli contamination in the water.

The Oakland County Health Division conducts regular sampling on 100 beaches across 74 lakes, monitoring the levels of E. coli, which can cause an array of health issues, including nausea, skin and respiratory problems, stomach cramps and even fever. The more severe cases can result in kidney damage, especially to young children.

Although it’s tricky to compare this year’s closure numbers with last year’s, the steady frequency of beach closings this summer indicates it may well be a sign of our changing weather patterns.

The county’s beach monitoring program started on June 3rd and it’s expected to continue until mid-August. The criteria for a beach to remain open include; a one-day standard of 300 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water, and a 30-day average of 130 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters. When a beach doesn’t meet these thresholds, it’s closed until samples show satisfactory results. Public notices are posted and swimming is prohibited.

Interestingly, beaches that consistently show elevated E. coli levels are subjected to additional testing to discover the source. Though typically the culprit is animal droppings, in rare cases, human waste can also be the cause. If this is the case, an investigation is launched to detect any leaks or problems with septic or sewer systems.

Looking out for public safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests not swallowing water while playing or swimming in bodies of water such as streams, lakes, ponds, and pools. Using this simple measure can reduce the risk of swallowing E. coli or other bacteria.

If anyone wants to check whether a beach in the county has been closed, you can visit the county’s website or the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.