Purdue News

June 16, 2000 Task force combs beaches for E. coli contamination WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – One unwelcome beach visitor this summer – E. coli – can put a damper on water fun. Last year, due to safety concerns, there were 26 beach closures in the three Indiana counties along the Lake Michigan shoreline, according to Leslie Dorworth, a Purdue University aquatic ecology specialist for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Dorworth is part of the E. coli Interagency Task Force, which monitors the waters in the southern Lake Michigan region. The task force includes representatives from 18 federal, state, county and local agencies. "When the beaches have to be closed due to high levels of E. coli, it's not just an inconvenience and disappointment for swimmers and boaters – it may also result in a loss of revenue to businesses in those areas. We want to do everything we can to help keep the beaches open," Dorworth said. In addition to monitoring the waters, the task force also tries to identify sources of E. coli contamination and educate the public about ways it can help prevent outbreaks of E. coli at the beaches. E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a common bacteria found in the intestines of birds and mammals, including humans. When infected feces come into contact with lakes and rivers, the water may become contaminated with E. coli at an unsafe level. Swallowing water contaminated with E. coli can cause intestinal discomfort or diarrhea, and swimming in the water can cause eye, ear and skin irritations. When E. coli levels are high, local authorities make the decision on whether or not to post warning signs and close or restrict beach use. The parameters for determining beach closings due to E. coli differ from state to state along the Lake Michigan shoreline. E. coli can get in the water through many sources. "Some municipal sewage treatment plants have difficulty dealing with storm run-off. These treatment facilities are too small to handle the additional water from a big rain storm and when they become overwhelmed, we get a sewer overflow into the lakes and rivers," Dorworth said. Harder to identify are the sources of E. coli contamination that can come from just about anywhere. Dorworth said birds and dogs on the beaches, cows on nearby farms, and babies in diapers can all contribute to the E. coli level. Dorworth offers these guidelines for helping to keep beaches safe from E. coli: • Carry a plastic bag and clean up any fecal material left by dogs on the beach. • Keep any food on the beach wrapped in plastic. • Remove all litter when you leave so birds and animals will not be attracted to the beach. • Change children's diapers frequently, as wet diapers can leak and release bacteria into the water. The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the E. coli Interagency Task Force have produced a series of 16 post-card sized, camera-ready public service announcements. The series, called "BeachWatch," includes information about E. coli, the delicate dunes, beach grass, the color of lake water and many other interesting beach-related topics. To obtain a copy of the series, contact Debra Levey Larson, media communications specialist with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, at (217) 333-8055. The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program is one of 29 National Sea Grant College Programs that combine university, government, business and industry expertise to address coastal and Great Lakes needs. The program is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Purdue and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Source: Leslie Dorworth, (219) 989-2726; dorworth@calumet.purdue.edu Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722; bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web sites: Swimming in Clean Waters To the Purdue News and Photos Page