Swimmers hoping to take a dip at Independence Lake Beach in Washtenaw County, brace yourselves for a change of plans. The local health department has implemented a swim ban following the discovery of disconcerting E. coli bacteria levels. The restriction, cited from ClickOnDetroit, indicates that the beach area within Independence Lake County Park on Jennings Road and Whitmore Lake will be off-limits to swimmers until further notice.
Detected during routine summer testing at various public bathing beaches, this spike in bacteria precipitated the immediate closure. While swimming is a no-go, as noted by the Washtenaw County Health Department, visitors can still engage in other recreational activities at the park that require no contact with water, including fishing. E. coli, typically linked to gastrointestinal upsets, spells trouble, particularly for those among us with compromised immune systems, and the ongoing risk has prompted officials to put the kibosh on swimming for the time being.
Under the regulations outlined by the Michigan Public Health diner, if certain thresholds of the bacteria are exceeded, it sanctions public beach closures. The specific levels of E. coli detected and the potential duration of the closure have not been disclosed by the officials yet. While the local authorities work on restoring conditions to acceptable levels, follow-up tests will serve as a green light for when it is deemed safe to swim again.
If you suspect recent contact with Independence Lake's water has left you feeling under the weather, or if you harbor concerns regarding the water quality testing, the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division can be reached at 734-222-3800. They stand ready to address your concerns during business hours.
