KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Samples taken on Wednesday from the beach area of Sunset Lake Park on Page Street in Vicksburg have revealed that the surface water quality did not meet Michigan’s water quality standards for total body contact recreation.
Kalamazoo County Environmental Health is advising that beach goers use caution when coming into contact with the water at Sunset Lake. Notification signs will also be posted at the beach.
The Kalamazoo County Environmental Health monitors nine public beaches weekly for E. Coli bacteria levels, and their latest reports have revealed that one beach in Vicksburg has not met the criteria. No total body contact recreation means that beach goers should refrain from various activities including complete submergence — especially of your head — into surface water that would increase your risk of ingesting the water.
The current standard, according to the report, states that the total body contact standard for Michigan is 300 E. coli per 100 ml. Sunset Lake was at 454.1 per 100 ml.
More samples will be taken at Sunset Lake on June 9. If criteria is met, the public health advisory will be lifted and signs will be removed. For more information on E. coli bacteria, you can visit the Kalamazoo county website.
