Study finds persistent bacteria problems at U.S., Great Lakes beaches

Going to the beach to soak up the sun and water is a hallmark of summers in the Great Lakes region. But according to a new study, your beach time is likely getting cut short by fecal bacteria.

A study from Environment America found persistent problems with bacteria pollution along U.S. and Great Lakes coastlines. Last year, there were more than 8,700 health warnings or closures at beaches along the nation's coastal beaches, interrupting one out of every 12 swimming days.

Across the Great Lakes, 63% of beaches tested were considered unsafe to swim in for at least one day. The nationwide average was 55%.

So, where do these fecal bacteria come from? How do the Great Lake states compare? And what can be done to prevent beach pollution?

We answer your questions:

Where does beach pollution come from?

Swimming in water contaminated with fecal bacteria is a health hazard, potentially leading to gastrointestinal illness, respiratory disease, ear and eye infections and skin rash. 

Bacteria pollution comes from stormwater runoff, sewage overflows and manure from industrial livestock production. 

In rural areas, factory farms can lead to fecal pollution from livestock production entering waterways. 

In more urban areas, sprawling development is creating more impervious surfaces, like parking lots and roads, that increase runoff during heavy rains. Outdated and deteriorating sewage systems, like combined sewers, also are a problem because raw sewage can lead to more bacteria entering the water. 

How do the Great Lakes states compare?

Across Wisconsin’s Great Lakes shorelines, 67% of beaches were unsafe for at least one day last summer, according to the study. The state fell in the middle compared to the other seven Great Lakes states.    

Lake Erie beaches fared the worst. All of the beaches tested in Pennsylvania and 96% of the beaches in Ohio had at least one unsafe swimming day last year.

Lake Michigan shorelines in Illinois and Indiana also had high percentages with 95% and 83%, respectively. 

Along New York’s Lake Ontario shoreline 58% of testing days had unsafe bacteria levels. 

Minnesota and Michigan had the lowest percentages with 34% and 43%, respectively. 

How can we prevent beach pollution?

Protecting and restoring wetlands will ensure that they can continue to absorb floodwaters and filter out pollutants before they enter larger waterways like the Great Lakes.

Wisconsin has already lost the vast majority of its wetlands, but has strict protections for the ones that remain. But a recent Supreme Court decision dialed back protections, so wetlands across the Great Lakes may be at risk.

Building green infrastructure, like rain barrels, permeable pavement and green space, in cities can help soak up rainfall during heaving rain events, leading to less runoff. 

Milwaukee's sewerage district is working on projects to restore habitat along waterways and create more green infrastructure that helps soak up more rainfall.

Encouraging rotational grazing, enacting moratoriums on industrial livestock farms and creating policies to stop manure from flowing into waterways can help prevent beach closures in rural areas.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @caitlooby.

Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.