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CLEVELAND (WJW) — Water quality is expected to be poor at four Lake Erie beaches on Friday, due to unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria.
The latest water quality report from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District shows high levels of the toxic bacteria at Edgewater Beach and Villa Angela Beach, found in Friday morning sampling.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, E. coli levels on Friday also have a chance to exceed the safety threshold at Mentor’s Headlands Beach State Park and the nearby Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park.
E. coli is an infectious bacteria that can cause bloody or watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, vomiting or a low fever, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Neither the Villa Angela nor Edgewater beach has been closed, according to the Cleveland Metroparks website.
But the survey predicted both beaches would be unsafe for swimming Friday, according to its website.
When determining the probability that bacteria levels will exceed the safety threshold, the survey considers wave height, water turbidity, pH levels, water temperature, recent rainfall and sewer discharges, among other factors. If the probability is 50% or more, a swimming advisory is posted.
Bacteria levels at Villa Angela Beach have been confirmed to have exceeded the safety threshold on 21 days since late May, according to survey data. At Edgewater Beach, it was 13 days; at Mentor Headlands it was five days; and at Fairport it was three days.
Bacteria advisories are not an indicator of whether a beach will be closed. To find out, visit the Cleveland Metroparks website.
Justin Dennis
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