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New study
finds E.coli bacteria on beaches of Lake Superior
Minneapolis Star
Tribune - 7/13
A
federally funded testing program found unsafe levels of E. coli
bacteria at times on 14 beaches along the south shore of Lake
Superior.
The
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the unsafe
levels were found at least once this year at 10 beaches in Douglas
County, two in Ashland County and one each in Iron and Bayfield
counties.
No
illnesses have been reported in connection with the beaches, and
the DNR's beach program coordinator, Ben Vail, said the findings
by themselves should not be a cause for alarm.
He
noted that the testing is in its first year, that there is nothing
to compare it with, and that there is no way of telling whether
bacteria levels are higher or lower than in the past.
The
variety of the E. coli bacterium studied is unlikely to cause
illness, but at high levels, it is an indicator that more pathogenic
bacteria might be present. At certain levels, E. coli in water
indicates fecal pollution that can cause diarrhea.
As
a result of the testing, a number of beaches have advisories posted
indicating an increased health risk for swimming.
Vail
said there was no particular pattern to the high bacteria levels.
"We've
determined no trend to these events except it is possible that
weather conditions are affecting the beaches," he said. "If
there is a heavy rain, that can result in washing debris into
the water after it rains."
Vail
said the beaches of Lake Superior will continue to be tested until
mid-September.
He
said heath officials will be notified if problem bacteria levels
are noted.
Vail
said Wisconsin is the first Great Lakes state to get the federal
funding for the program.
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