On Monday, May 19, the Health Department will kick off its yearly beach monitoring program, which starts in late May and ends around Labor Day.
Throughout the summer, Health Department microbiologists and other staff monitor seven local beaches for bacteria and harmful algae blooms. They collect water samples weekly fromRiverview Park, Big Falls, Half Moon Lake, Lake Altoona, Lake Eau Claire, Coon Fork Beach, and Coon Fork Campground.
If our testing finds unsafe levels of bacteria or harmful algae, the beach may be closed or a water quality advisory sign may be posted.
How can I find out if a beach is closed?
The Health Department tests beaches weekly and posts up-to-date information for each beach on our beaches webpage and our Facebook page. We also send real-time email alerts Monday through Friday when beaches close or reopen. To start getting beach closure alerts, visit bit.ly/beachalertsEC and select Beach Closings.
“We test and monitor the water at county beaches to keep our community safe during the summer months. Harmful algae or bacteria in beach water can especially affect children, older adults, and pets,” says Tristin Faust, Health Department Chemist-Microbiologist.
What’s the difference between a beach closure and a water quality advisory?
A beach is closed:
- If our testing shows that the level of E. coli bacteria is very high.
- If there’s an algae scum in a body of water, it’s more likely that harmful levels of toxins are also present.
A water quality advisory sign is posted:
- If our testing shows that the level of E. coli bacteria is elevated.
- If our monitoring suggests an increased risk of algae toxins; an algae scum may not be seen in the water.
Why shouldn’t people or pets swim/boat/wade/fish at beaches when they’re closed or have an advisory?
During a beach closure, the beach is closed for all recreation activities – stay out of the water! If you see a harmful algae bloom, don’t boat, kayak, swim, or water ski there. Avoid the area to prevent breathing in toxins from the air. Don’t wade or let pets swim in the water either.
During a water quality advisory, we still recommend you stay out of the water and avoid swimming and boating in the affected area.
Having contact with harmful algae can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. Swallowing water with harmful algae can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. If pets consume large amounts of water with harmful algae, they can become very ill or die.
Swallowing beach water with high levels of bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, fever, and abdominal cramping.
If you see signs of a harmful algae bloom at any Eau Claire County public beach, report it by calling us at 715-839-4718.
For more information about beach monitoring in Eau Claire County, visit beaches.echealthdepartment.org.
