SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) — Signs advising people not to swim remained in place at Oval Beach Friday after routine testing from the Allegan County Health Department found high levels of E. coli in the water there earlier this week.
Despite the oppressive heat and water warning, the beach remained busy Friday morning. For Caitlin Welsh, who was in town to celebrate her bachelorette party, the health risk simply meant her crew would spend more time out of the water than planned.
“At least today, we’re here doing a beach day and then we’re going to hit some dune buggies later this afternoon,” her friend Kelly Carlson said.
The no swimming advisory says the high bacteria levels were caused by nearby runoff. Oval Beach was last closed in July 2021 for a similar problem related to stormwater runoff.
“E. coli is always present in natural bodies of water,” said Randy Rapp, the environmental health services manager at Allegan County Health Department. “We’re looking for levels that are higher than what we should see.”
Rapp said crews tested the water again Thursday and are waiting on results.
“I usually play it pretty safe anyways. So I’m not too worried about that,” beachgoer Kevin Vahle, who was in town visiting friends, said. “We heard about (the advisory), but we’re just like, ‘Hey, we’ll go and hang out and relax a little bit.’”
The Michigan Public Health Code set the water quality standard for E. coli at 300 bacteria per 100 milliliters on any daily reading and 130 bacteria per 100 ml over a 30-day average. The three tests done earlier this year all came in well below 130. The test on June 12 registered an average of 12.1. The test completed on June 17 was approximately 2,400.
—News 8’s Matt Jaworowski contributed to this report.
