TRAVERSE CITY -- A new advisory system will give area beachgoers a more comprehensive report of water quality while officials boost efforts to lower E. coli levels.
"The idea is that we know we have a great water resource here right now, and we want to maintain it as a quality resource in the future," said Thomas Buss, environmental health director with the Grand Traverse County Health Department.
The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay and health department will launch a revamped beach monitoring program this week that specifically advises when it's safe to swim, wade, fish, boat or have any contact with the water.
Starting today, nine Lake Michigan beaches will be tested for E. coli each Wednesday through Sept. 3. The health department will send weekly updates and post advisories at the beaches as soon as test results are in, which typically takes 24 hours.
"Last year they would put a red sign up and say, 'water contact not advised;' it was either clear or not clear, good or bad, and not anything in between," said Andy Knott, executive director of the Watershed Center.
Notices now alert when it's safe to wade, fish and boat, which means avoiding water contact with the ears, eyes or mouth.
E. coli counts often return to a safe level by the time test results show an elevated amount for the previous day.
Before last year, the health department wouldn't issue warnings if bacteria rates decreased to a safe level the day after a high reading. Last year they began alerting beachgoers after the first elevated results.
Knott hopes to avoid problems caused by delayed results by eventually using weather patterns and rainfall amounts to predict problems.
The advisory system's figures for safe E. coli levels are based on state law.
"Most all of Michigan's shoreline has excellent water quality," said Shannon Briggs, a water toxicologist for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. "But Traverse City has done a very good job in working with their water quality issues because ... any water body that's in a bay is a little bit more vulnerable to any sources of contamination."
"The local officials, the community in general, they want to see their water quality better than just meeting water quality standards. They want it to be excellent all the time, and that's great," she said.
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers is glad to see proactive measures taken to protect the water.
The lake is a vital freshwater source, and it's also a main attraction for the area's tourism industry, he said.
"Not only do we need to be monitoring the water to protect our city, but we need to figure out where (E. coli) is coming from," said Carruthers.
The Watershed Center's Healthy Beaches Campaign will work on that this summer with a study of E. coli levels in rivers, creeks and storm drain systems, as well as a DNA analysis to determine sources of bacteria, whether human, mammal or avian.
Experts plan to take samples in the boat flotillas, although they don't think sewage-dumping is a widespread practice among boaters, Knott said.
U.S. Coast Guard officers will conduct weekly spot checks on boats, including holding tank inspections.
The city commission also took a stand against E. coli with an ordinance that outlaws feeding waterfowl and seagulls, whose waste can run into the water and increase bacteria levels.
Officials might use border collie dogs to chase away more ducks and geese, and dog waste will be targeted with educational signs and waste bag dispensers.
Beach monitoring program
Level 1: E. coli levels are safe for full body contact.
Level 2: E. coli levels are safe for wading, fishing and boating. Contact above the waist not advised.
Level 3: E. coli levels exceed Michigan Department of Environmental Quality standards. No body contact advised.
Level 4: Health alert. High E. coli levels and/or gross contamination. Avoid water contact.
The following beaches will be tested: West End Beach, Bryant Park, Clinch Park, Milliken (East Bay) Park, Traverse City State Park, Empire Village Beach, Northport Park, Suttons Bay Park and Frankfort Beach.
Source: The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay
E. coli levels
Number of days elevated E. coli levels were found on at least one of five Grand Traverse Bay beaches that were tested
2003: 5, plus one day of sewage release advisory
2004: 3
2005: 6, plus one day of sewage release advisory
2006: 4
2007: 4
Source: Grand Traverse County Health Department
