Jul 29, 2008 3:46 pm US/Central
Report: Illinois Beaches Worst In Bacteria Levels
Some Beaches Have Unacceptable E. Coli Levels
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A new report says Illinois has the most coastal beaches in the country with water samples exceeding acceptable levels of bacteria, such as E. coli. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports on why some beaches got bad marks in 2007.
If you live near the lake, you want to enjoy it. But the natural resources defense council wants you to think before you take the plunge.
"There's a contamination. People in the great lakes region are swimming in animal and human waste," according to Harry Henderson, director of the National Resources Defense Council's Midwest program. He says it comes from e-coli-tainted storm water and sewage run off that can cause illness.
Beachgoer April Sedall said "That's sort of creepy. You don't want to go in the water if there's things in there that can hurt you or your children."
To determine how serious the problem is, the NRDC, with stats from environmental agencies, took a look at beaches across the country.
If you're wondering what was among Illinois' worst, Jackson Park Beach… otherwise knows as 63rd Street Beach -- topped the list. In 2007 officials banned swimming there 14 times because of bacteria levels that exceeded government standards.
Ellegen Sergent, an official with the Chicago Park District admits, "Jackson Park is one of our challenging beaches." But it's one the park district is tackling. There are more garbage containers for waste, employees clean the sand and they're taking on the ring-billed gull, which leaves waste on the sand that gets washed into the water. Now there are border collies to scare off the birds.
So far this year, there have been no swim bans at Jackson Park.
NRDC officials say Chicago has been vigilant but they also say more can be done here and regionally. The "Testing The Waters" report shows 15% of Great Lakes beach samples violated public health standards for safe swimming last year. The NRDC would like to see more funding to investigate contamination sources and fix them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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