South Haven, Mich. — Two beaches in South Haven remain closed heading into the weekend due to E. coli levels. The water will be tested again on Friday.
The bacteriological results from the beach monitoring event on August 7, 2013 at the City of South Haven’s South and North Beaches have been received and reviewed by the Van Buren/Cass County District Public Health Department. Analysis of this data has revealed a violation of Michigan’s Surface Water Quality Standards for partial and/or total body contact for recreational purposes.
The geometric mean of the samples collected at the city’s North Beach during the above mentioned sampling event was 1966 E. coli per 100ml, which exceeds the total body contact standard of 300 E. coli per 100ml. The geometric mean of the samples collected at the city’s South Beach during the above mentioned sampling event was 801.96 E. coli per 100 ml, which exceeds the total body contact standard of 300 E. coli per 100ml. Based on these sample results, the Van Buren County Environmental Health Division is issuing an advisory. A second set of samples will be taken on Friday, August 9, 2013 to determine what further course of action will be necessary. The Van Buren County Environmental Health Division is advising the public to avoid body contact with the surface water at the City of South Haven’s bathing beach areas on Lake Michigan.
If you have any further questions concerning this correspondence please feel free to contact either the City of South Haven at (269) 637-0700 or the Van Buren/Cass District Public Department at (269) 621-3143.
