The Sanilac County Health Department (SCHD) has closed Lexington Beach at Tierney Park following routine E. coli testing.
Water samples will be collected at the beach until E. coli test results are within the acceptable water quality range as dictated by the State of Michigan. The SCHD conducts water quality monitoring of county beaches for the presence of E. coli bacteria from Memorial Day to Labor Day, posting the results every Thursday throughout the summer. Water sample results must be below 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters for the water to be considered safe for swimming, with Lexington Beach’s sample measuring an average of 562 E. coli colonies per 100 ml of water.
E. coli bacteria are a common microbe found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and can indicate the presence of fecal contamination. There are a variety of sources that contribute bacteria and other pathogens to surface water, including septic systems, stormwater runoff, wildlife, and agricultural runoff. Elevated E. coli levels are possible after a storm or strong winds because bacteria are carried in storm runoff and stirred up from waves.
If there has been recent heavy rainfall, strong winds or big waves, or if the water appears cloudy or turbid, individuals should be advised not to swim that day. Advisories for Sanilac County’s public beaches are shared on the SCHD’s Facebook page and Michigan BeachGuard website at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach/.
St. Clair County’s beach at Lakeside Beach also remains closed due to high E. coli levels.
